Scholarship Created in Late Resident’s Honor
Several hundred people gathered Sept. 13 at Boulder Creek in Hicksville for the Ricky Greene Memorial Benefit. Proceeds, which totaled approximately $10,000, will go to establish a Hicksville High School scholarship in honor of the late Richard “Ricky” Greene.
Greene lost his life in July after a fire ripped through the Acre Lane home he shared with family. According to friends and co-workers, the 23-year-old softball player and steakhouse manager loved sports, particularly baseball, and the theater; the scholarship will benefit a student who excels in theater, an art Greene himself truly loved and excelled in. Those close described Greene as a “kind spirit and gentle heart” who would do “absolutely anything to make the lives of his friends and family easier and more enjoyable.”
To pay tribute to their lost friend, Boulder Creek staff organized an outdoor breakfast benefit and volunteered. Employees, along with members of Greene’s family, wore orange and blue T-shirts adorned with the words “Celebrating the Life & Memory of Ricky Greene.” The shirts, which were the colors of Greene’s beloved baseball team – the New York Mets – also featured the Boulder Creek logo and an image of Citi Field.
During the event, a proclamation was presented by Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker dedicating the Hicksville restaurant in Greene’s name while a plaque, created by Jonathan Bartlett and inscribed with the words “Best of Bosses. Best of Friends. Best of Angels. Ricky Greene” was hung on the front of the building. Additionally, Boulder Creek employee Johnny McGuire spoke of his late manager and friend, telling those in attendance how the restaurant was Greene’s second home and his co-workers, Greene’s second family.
The Hicksville Fire Department, along with Chief Robert Lang, demonstrated fire safety and provided all those in attendance with life-saving information and free smoke detectors while DJ Matt Fodera provided musical entertainment and Mike Fitzgerald and Greene’s brother Sean increased the proceeds in the dunk tank.
“The sun was as big as Ricky’s smile that morning,” said Meagan Doyle, a friend and event organizer. “Smiles were on everybody’s faces as they remembered their dear manager and friend.”
She added, “We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all who attended this special event. The day was an amazing tribute to our friend, Ricky. We find great pride in knowing that a theater student of Hicksville High School’s future graduating classes will receive a scholarship for doing what Ricky loved to do.”
In addition to the Boulder Creek event, a softball game and fundraiser was held in August, with over $1,500 raised and donated to the American Cancer Society in Greene’s name.
Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship in Ricky Greene’s memory can contact Boulder Creek in Hicksville at 942-7800.
