Anne P. Croce, 84, passed away on April 22, 2010. Born in Staten Island, NY, on March 7, Anne Croce lived most of her life in the New York area. A resident of Roslyn for over 50 years, Mrs. Croce spent most of her adult life as a community activist who was deeply involved in philanthropic endeavors. If there was an event to be organized, a parade to be run, or a charity in need of fundraising, Anne Croce would be there leading the charge. She was personally involved with myriad organizations in the Roslyn area and throughout the Town of North Hempstead, including: the American Heart Association; Roslyn Little League; the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Program; the Village of East Hills; the Ronald McDonald House; St. Mary’s CYO and so many others.
In 1989, Mrs. Croce accepted the position of commissioner of Community Services in the Town of North Hempstead, where she shepherded programs for Senior Citizens, the Animal Shelter and various other groups during her 15-year tenure.
Described by May Newburger (former Supervisor, Town of North Hempstead) as “…a problem solver and someone who identifies needs and figures out the solutions to them”. Anne Croce has been the recipient of numerous awards and citations throughout her life. Among the most notable were: The Congressional Medal of Merit; Newsday’s “Everyday Hero”; the first recipient of the Tikkun Olam Award from the Sid Jacobson JCC.
Anne Croce is survived by her husband of 59 years Dr. James P. Croce and their three children: Patricia Balcom (Kenneth), James P. Croce, III (Marie) and Kathleen Kampmann Tache (Thomas). Six grandsons: Kenny and Clint Balcom; Austin, Andrew and Kort Kampmann and Will Croce and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister Janet Rubich and a sister-in-law: Elizabeth Lally.
A funeral Mass was held on April 28 at St. Joan of Arc Church in Yorktown.
