Community Awards, Spirit Overwhelm Village Board Meeting

Paul Rauch and Trisha Murphy were named "Lynbrook Man and Woman of the Year" during Monday evening's board of trustees meeting at .

The two honors came during a recognition-filled awards night. 

Rauch, a 30-year resident of Lynbrook, served in Vietnam. He is an extraordinary minister at and serves on the parish advisory committee. He is integral in keeping the church's pantry stocked with food for needy families by paying regular visits to , and , according to a nomination letter written by .

"Another activity he has initiated is the plastic water bottle redemption at [the church]," Burak’s letter read. "This not only benefits the parish community, but also helps the environment."

Murphy, a 12-year resident of Lynbrook, is a member of "numerous" clubs and organizations, according to a nomination letter written by Deidre Gordon. She is both a coach and secretary for the Lynbrook Titans lacrosse program. 

"Trisha coaches [with] the mantra of [putting] the wind in the sails of our youth," Gordon's letter read. "This is done with positive reinforcement, fair play and constant encouragement."

In addition to being an important part of Titans lacrosse, Murphy is an officer in the Mom and Dad's Club and a member of three different PTAs within the school district. 

"Trisha gracefully manages her roles as a coach, mother and wife," Gordon's letter continued. "... She is a pillar of our community and, to me, she won't just be 'Woman of the Year' -- she is a superwoman.”        

The two were hardly the only ones deserving praise on Monday night, as Lynbrook police officers Frank Menna and Tony Zee were recognized by the board for saving the life of resident Frank Cove.

On May 8, Cove was dining at when he . Both Menna and Zee responded to the emergency.

Upon arriving at the scene, the officers administered a compression and "gave breathing with a bag" to Cove. He was hooked up to an AED and received one shock, causing his heart to resume beating, according to Mayor William Hendrick.

"I heard later on about the tremendous job that the people at Pearsall's Station did, and especially Frank Menna, at getting me into an ambulance," Cove said. "It was certainly something I didn't expect.

"It had nothing to do with the chicken wings over at Pearsall's," he added jokingly.

The board also recognized Fire Chief Anthony DeCarlo and firefighter Josh Parsons. The two were instrumental in saving the life of Michael Vavallo, a toddler who was experiencing breathing problems on April 8. 

"They were there on a dime and couldn't have done more," Mary Alice Rom, Vavallo’s grandmother, said. "Frank Menna was also on the scene and helped."