Herricks Bids Farewell to Buckley, Grisafi

The Herricks Board of Education cited the achievements of now former board members during last Thursday night’s meeting at the .

At the start of the meeting, Grisafi called his 17 years on the board “rewarding” and "an incredible journey.” To show the duration, he showed a photo from the New Hyde Park Illustrated from 1995 of himself with his wife and two sons, who were also in the board room on Thursday night.

Grisafi said that it “seemed like his time to retire,” although board president Christine Turner noted that Grisafi has retired twice now – once previously for a year in 2002.

Though both Buckley and Grisafi pointed to the stereotype that tough economic times are when it’s difficult to be on boards, both men said that those times were among the most rewarding. Both Grisfai and Buckley also thanked their families for being understanding and allowing them to spend time doing board business over these years.

“Hopefully I’ve done justice to everyone who supported me,” Grisafi said.

Buckley noted that during his time on the board they did some “wonderful things” and stressed that it was “always about our children.”

Buckley added that will do a good job.

In describing what makes a good board member, Turner explained that it’s all about “the kind of person you are.” She said both Buckley and Grisafi are “easy to work with,” “decent” and “upstanding” people.

Buckley’s wife, Dr. Elaine Margarita, praised her husband and Grisafi’s service saying that her spouse did not come into the position with an agenda and was sometimes unpopular, but he was “giving a voice to some of his constituents."

The Herricks Teachers Association and other members of the audience also thanked Grisafi and Buckley for their service.