Mike Nuzzolese feels the love

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — It’s a “bittersweet moment,” said Village of Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey, addressing the audience at a recognition meeting honoring the retirement of long-time employee Mike Nuzzolese.

Nuzzolese stepped down as village superintendent of public works on Dec. 29 after serving in the top job since 1996. Before that, beginning in 1979, he worked for the village DPW for 16 years.

His career actually began in 1974 with the Town of Goshen Highway Department, adding up to a total of 39 years of public service.

“Mike’s life defines public service," Mayor Roddey said. "His knowledge of what we deal with in Goshen is a wealth of information, the streets, roads, sidewalks, water, sewers. He knows all.”

Marcia Mattheus, although village mayor from 1999 to 2003, actually worked with Nuzzolese for 25 years, as she served terms on the planning board, as trustee and then as mayor.

“Mike embodies what it means to be a leader," she said. "He wouldn’t ask his men to do anything that he wouldn’t do."

Mattheus said he worked hard and for long hours — usually in the middle of the night and when it was exceptionally cold.

“He’s Mr. Goshen!” she exclaimed, growing emotional. “He’s a man of integrity, a loving father, devoted to his wife, but nothing compares for him to being a new grandfather."

This year Nuzzolese has new member in his family: four-month-old grandson Daniel, the son of his daughter, Morgan, and her husband, Daniel Cruz.

Elmer Budd, first assistant chief of the Goshen Fire District, is happy to call Nuzzolese a friend.

“Mike has his back,” he said, referring to the fire chief, "especially when a water supply is needed.”

Nuzzolese has been a part of the fire department for more than 30 years. Retirement will allow him more time to devote to Dykeman’s Fire Department — a passion of his.

“There’s a lot of bosses out there, but it’s hard to find a good leader,” Budd concluded.

Praise abounded at the Dec. 9 meeting:

Lynn Cione, executive director of The Goshen Chamber of Commerce: “Mike was always there, supporting Great American Weekend and much, much more,"

Trustee Malcolm Stewart: “Being Commissioner of the DPW is the easiest job in the world because of Mike and his men.”

Trustee Chris Gurda: “Mike made the village a better place. His knowledge of the village and the infrastructure is unbelievable.”

Trustee Pete Smith asked Nuzzolese to reconsider retirement since he’s not moving from his Goshen home, he’s probably going to be called for guidance and information. “Why not get paid for your help?” Smith quipped.

Trustee Ed Char begged: “If you see our number on your phone, please pick up!”

A grateful Nuzzolese said, “If success is being surrounded with good people, that’s what I achieved. I’m overwhelmed. I’m a lucky guy. It’s been an awesome run that I thoroughly enjoyed."

Deep roots in Goshen
Nuzzolese's roots go deep into Goshen soil. He was born 59 years ago at the Goshen Hospital on Greenwich Avenue, now referred to as the Seven Columns building. In 1967, Goshen Hospital moved to larger quarters at 4 Harriman Drive and was renamed Arden Hill Hospital.

He grew up in a home on Golden Hill Drive, where his mom, Josephine, still lives. Nuzzolese lives with his wife, Alice, nine houses up the street from his mom.

“I guess there was a plan that I didn’t know about,” he said, showing off his characteristic grin.

His late dad, Dominic, drove a tractor-trailer for McBride Transportation.

“My dad could do virtually anything with his hands — electric, plumbing, reupholster, woodworking," he said. "He was awesome with his hands."

He humbly aded, “I probably inherited some (talents) from my dad, but I’m not nearly as good.”

Nuzzolese went through the local schools, graduating in 1972 from Goshen High School. He doesn’t hesitate to name his favorite activities while in high school: football and mechanical drawing classes with Mr. Harold Innocent.

“He was awesome,” said Nuzzolese. “He related to the students. He worked alongside us on projects in metal shop. I learned a lot from him.”

He has happy memories of growing up in Goshen, ice-skating and playing hockey with friends on the Spring Street pond, sledding, and fishing at the Goshen Reservoir.

“I lived outside,” he says.
Describing Goshen during racing season, Nuzzoles says "it was like the circus coming to town for us kids, with lots of people, horses, drivers, trainers and colorful banners that read ‘Welcome Horsemen.’”

As the first harness racing track in America, Goshen Historic Track has attracted people since its inception in 1838, and it has continuously held races for 175 years.

Taking stock of changes
During the time Nuzzolese was a member of the crew, equipment that once was sparse and old has been updated with backhoes, loaders, and a fleet of dump trucks with plows.

“Now we can plow the entire village in three hours,” he said with pride.

Additionally, the department assumed the job of garbage collection in 1986 and at one time, the police department had only two to three cars that needed servicing, now that number has increased.

For Nuzzolese, the biggest change in Goshen is seeing the village grow and become a vibrant downtown area with good restaurants, period lighting, and going from empty storefronts to shops offering services.

“Alice and I walk to the village and we have a whole variety of restaurants to choose from," he said. “It’s great.”

The joys of puttering await
So what does retirement hold for Nuzzolese? Traveling is high on his list, especially because of his love of American history. First, a retirement celebration trip will bring him and Alice to New Orleans, and eventually he’ll visit other areas in the U.S.

Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C., are Nuzzolese's two favorite cities.

“They’re full of history,” he said.

He said he loves landscaping and can “putter for hours” in his garden. But he’s also recently taken on a new hobby: bicycling. Mentioning that Brian Dunlevy, owner of Joe’s Fix Its, introduced him to biking, Nuzzolese said he’s lost 35 pounds since starting the sport. He rides weekly either with Alice — who enjoys riding, also — or a group of local bikers who formed a “forbidding” club called the “Dark Side Riders!”

“It’s for riders over age 50,” Nuzzolese explained with a laugh.

Nuzzolese is the oldest sibling in his family, followed by three sisters: Linda, Marie, and Kathy, who all live locally. He has three children: Jeremy, an engineer, married to Cindy, they live in Charlotte, N.C.; Dayle, a food and beverage manager for Saratoga Springs Racino, who lives in Cohoes, N.Y.; and Morgan, married to Daniel Cruz, who works in Long Island for an engineering firm. They live in Goshen with their son, Daniel.

Perhaps it was former Village Mayor John Higgins who best summed up the sentiments of the community:

“I first met Mike when I moved to Goshen about 30 years ago," he said. "We met at the fire department. He was a good officer in the fire department. We live on the same street. He’s a good neighbor.

“He worked his way up the public works department. He was a hard worker...did a great job, did a real good job. He knows all about the village. Mike is the true mayor of the Village of Goshen.”