By:Scott Brinton and Laura Lane
The list goes on.
Mr. Helsinger, of Merrick, died on March 6. He was 73.
Hundreds turned out for funeral services to pay homage to Mr. Helsinger, who family members and friends said exuded kindness. His son, Andrew Helsinger, said, "He was a very loving father. He was a great father and a great man. He extended his family to everyone. Everyone was his family."
Mr. Helsinger was known as a smart businessman. From the 1970s through the late '80s, he enjoyed many prosperous years in the garment industry, manufacturing and marketing coats in New York City. Then he sought a career change, and joined Custom South Shore Real Estate as a sales agent. Before long he was so good at selling homes that he bought the business and opened a second office in Long Beach, his hometown.
Through the 1990s, Mr. Helsinger continued to grow the business, building one of the area's most successful real estate agencies in a hyper-competitive market. New York State Assemblyman David McDonough (R-North Merrick), who knew Mr. Helsinger well, said, "He treated his clients right. People who bought or sold a home at Custom were happy."
Each July Fourth, Custom South Shore Realty planted miniature American flags on every lawn in Merrick.
Mr. Helsinger was nominated for the Merrick Chamber of Commerce's Small Businessperson of the Year award. But his legacy will be his charity work, those closest to him said. With his wife, Susan, Mr. Helsinger helped found the Jason Gruen Foundation, which supports research in childhood cardiac diseases.
Each holiday season, the Helsingers organized a major Kiwanis fund-raiser, which in part supported the Jason Foundation, among several other charities. The Helsingers called the program "Wrap It Up." More than 100 Merrick Kiwanis Club volunteers wrapped presents at the Roosevelt Field Mall between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Over the years, the event raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity.
Hal Horowitz, a former Kiwanis Club president, said, "Jay spent countless hours setting up and running the project at Roosevelt Field. It's continued to be successful only because of [the Helsingers'] participation. It's Kiwanis's major fund-raiser, and I don't know how it will go forward without Jay."
Horowitz continued, "Jay was always a hard worker, determined and steadfast. He was generous not only to the Kiwanis Club, but also to his family and friends. He had New Jersey Nets tickets, and when he couldn't use them, he gave them away without blinking an eye. They were expensive, but he never minded."
Bernie Stein, another former Kiwanis Club president, said Mr. Helsinger was an exemplary volunteer. "He was a model of what I should be doing," Stein said. "I tried to emulate him, and I think a lot of people felt this way too. He always tried to get [the Kiwanis Club] more involved, but not to take the burden off himself."
Jonathan Butler, the Kiwanis Club's current president and a North Merrick Board of Education trustee, said Mr. Helsinger "was truly a dedicated Kiwanian who cared about people and was always giving back to the community. Whatever he started, he made sure it came to a great conclusion. Anytime he was asked to do something, he always said yes. He is the type of person we all should aspire to be like."
From an early age, Mr. Helsinger was community service-minded. He was a proud Eagle Scout, and he encouraged young people to get involved in groups like the Scouts or Little League.
Mr. Helsinger was also active in real estate professional groups. At the time of his death, he was president-elect of the Long Island Board of Realtors, the 20,000-member professional group representing the Island's real estate industry.
Joseph Mottola, LIBOR's chief executive officer, said Mr. Helsinger "was a committed and dedicated man to the industry and the well-being of its members. He served on many [LIBOR] committees, especially in the legislative-related areas.
"He will be a loss to the [LIBOR] organization," of which he had been a member since 1988, said Mottola.
People said they'll miss the little things about Mr. Helsinger. "He used to wear these bright-colored sweaters," said Stein. "When he came into the room wearing the bright-colored sweater, he always had a bright smile on his face, and the room would light up."
McDonough said, "He was just a nice guy and a lot of laughs."
He added, "Jay and his wife, Susan, were always looking for ways to serve the needs of people in the community, especially those less fortunate. Yet they were never looking for credit. They were very private people about what they did. They didn't go around blowing their own horn."
Mr. Helsinger is survived by his wife, Susan; a sister, Selma Stutchbury; his children, Gale Creamer, Felice Schwarz, Andrew Helsinger, Mindy Fernandez and Connor Helsinger; his grandchildren, Joseph Creamer, Erin Creamer, Danielle Schwarz, Jaime Schwarz, Jeffrey Helsinger, Kimberly Helsinger, Taylin Fernandez and Brijae Fernandez; his sons-in-law, Christopher Creamer, Douglas Schwarz and George Fernandez, and a daughter-in-law, Barbara Helsinger.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Blanche Paul and Florence Bottie, and a son, Neal Helsinger.
Burial was at Beth Moses Cemetery in Farmingdale.
The family is sitting shiva at the Helsinger home, 3145 Camden Lane, south Merrick, through Sunday. Donations in Mr. Helsinger's name can be sent to the Jason Gruen Foundation or the Merrick Kiwanis Club.
