By:John Borrelli
When the Huckleberry Frolic Planning Committee chose to honor Bob Keon at this year's event, they chose a man who has
devoted nearly all his adult life to serving the community of East Rockaway.
Bob Keon was born in East Rockaway in 1930. He's been a resident of the village all his life. He and Marilyn, his wife of 43 years, raised their children in the village. He bought the East Rockaway Nursing Home in 1964. At that time, the facility had 39 beds. A new building, which was completed in 1972, accommodated 100 beds.
Keon's years of involvement with the elderly gave him a firsthand look at the problems they faced. He has been involved in helping create legislation on behalf of senior citizens, on the state and federal level, for over thirty years.
"1964 was the year Medicare began. I saw it grow," said Keon, "and I also saw the problems. The government tried to deal with it, but they gave it to private industry, which made more trouble." Keon got involved on behalf of America's seniors. He became active in the New York State Health Facilities Association. He helped create and pass legislation in Albany to protect seniors' rights and ensure proper care. In 1969 he became a member of the American Health Care Association, a national organization involved with Medicare, Medicaid and HMO legislation.
Keon says the system is improving, but it isn't fixed yet. "The population is getting older. They have some catching up to do," he said.
Keon says that March 6 has been a day to remember several times in his life: In 1949, it was the day he joined the East Rockaway Fire Department. He ran for the job of fire chief in 1984, but didn't win. He maintained his association nonetheless. In 1951, it was on March 6 that he entered the Navy.
Keon served on the East Rockaway 100th Anniversary Committee. The celebration of the village's centennial "began in September of 1999 with a cocktail party, and ends this month with a big dinner," he said, adding that the events the committee organized were very successful.
Though he's "retired," Keon remains a very busy man. He continues to serve on East Rockaway's Emergency Management Team. The job of the group is to be at the ready in case of severe storms, flooding and the like. Keon's thankful that there have been few incidents where the team has been called upon. "The last time we were alerted," he said, "was when a tornado touched down in Lynbrook about three years ago." There was no serious damage, and no one was injured.
Keon says that he had planned to retire in 1996. County Executive Tom Gulotta approached him in 1995 and asked him to join the Nassau County Senior Citizens Advisory Council. He did. Through the agency's subsidiary departments, Keon has worked hard to get hospices out of hospital buildings and into a place of their own. "That's what needs to happen," he said.
Gulotta said of the Huckleberry Frolic Planning Committee's decision to honor Keon this year, " There couldn't have been a finer choice. Bob is a skilled health care professional who has devoted countless hours of volunteer service to his community. He is a compassionate, caring, dynamic and energetic community leader who symbolizes an outstanding example of the citizenry of East Rockaway."
Keon also serves as chairman of East Rockaway's Ethics committee. The committee's job is to review local government policies and procedures in instances where allegations of wrongdoing come up involving village appointees and elected officials.
Keon said one of the most important jobs he's had is being Chairman of the Board for the Link Center for Drug Information in Lynbrook, an organization he has been affiliated with for 20 years. Keon said that though drugs are still a big problem locally, the public's awareness of the problem has helped. "Family denial was a big problem years ago, " he said. "Now, significant others get involved in the program. It really makes a difference."
Link's executive director, Dennis Dunn, described Keon as "one of the most determined and dedicated community-oriented people I've ever met. He's inspiring to work with."
Link's board is involved with securing funding. Donations to the organization are always welcome. To become one of the Friends of Link, call 887-4848.
All the money raised at the annual Huckleberry Frolic goes to the East Rockaway Grist Mill Museum, a federal, state and town landmark. Keon said that some of the items on display at the museum were once his. "I gave them a couple of things that don't fit me anymore or were outlawed by OSHA," he said with a smile. The museum opens the first weekend in June. The Huckleberry Frolic is set for June 9.
