The Annual Beech Brook Senior Center Memorial Service for deceased members will be held on Oct. 23. It will be for three members who have passed away during the year: Tina Cangari, Nicholas Baldino, and Columbia Galasso. They will have a breakfast buffet and attending will be Pastor Diane Melograne, Deacon Jay and Chris Bartol, BBSC honorary president, their former director.
Last summer there was a special service held in honor of James “Tiny” Brandt, who passed away in February. He was thanked for his time and dedication to the BBSC. Members of the Brandt family attended the memorial service including his daughters Sharon Brandt and Marjorie Brandt Berry, as well as his grandchildren and great grandchildren and Dorothy Brandt, his sister-in-law.
Deacon Jesus Valdes of St. Dominic R.C. Church and Pastor Diane Melograne of the Assembly of God Church did the scripture readings. Special guests included Chris Bartol, BBSC honorary president; Town of Oyster Bay Clerk James Altadonna; and Town Councilwoman Michelle Johnson.
A plaque, in honor of James Brandt was placed on the wall of the BBSC.
Invitation To Join
The annual memorial service has been held for the past 20 years in celebration of those members that have passed during that year. The current president, Dorothy Brandt, invites all local seniors to come and join BBSC. The center is part of the Town of Oyster Bay Martin Luther King, Jr. Housing on West Main Street and Lexington Avenue in Oyster Bay. The club was organized in April 1971. It serves the seniors of the hamlet of Oyster Bay, East Norwich and Bayville. “It was named because of the beautiful beech trees that graced the property and the natural babbling brook that runs through the land the housing was built on,” said Dottie.
The group meets Wednesdays starting at 10 a.m. and offers coffee and tea and roll. They play cards, various games and socialize and “can stay all day,” said Dottie. Once a month a nurse comes to monitor the member’s blood pressure. Over the holidays they go out to a restaurant for a fancy luncheon.
“We constructed a state-of-the-art bocce court, in back, with donations from local groups and individuals,” she added.
And any senior 60 years and older is welcome to join, said Dottie. If you are interested in joining Beech Brook Center, please call 922-3665 for information.
Honoring “Tiny”
James Brandt was a lifelong resident of Oyster Bay and died on February 4, 2013. Brandt was a WWII veteran; past chief and 71-year active member of the Oyster Bay Fire Co. No. 1; past president of: North Shore Fire Council, Executive Council of Firematic Assoc. Of Nassau Co., Nassau Co Fire Chiefs, Southern N.Y. Volunteer Fireman’s Assoc., North Shore Fireman’s Holy Name Society, Nassau Co. Fireman’s Assoc., OB Benevolent & Exempts Assoc., Charter Member of Fifth Battalion Chiefs, Board Member of VEEB.
He was a past commander of the Quentin Roosevelt Post No. 4 American Legion. He was a past president of Doubleday Babcock Center, and President of Beech Brook Seniors.
