GNYADA March 2017 Newsletter

IN REMEMBERANCE

Irwin Garsten Remembered 12

starting out as a salesman, he eventually bought a stake in Brauser Motors in Riverhead – the business that would grow into Apple Honda – in the mid 1950’s. As one of the most prominent business owners on the North Fork, Irwin became highly active in community organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, Central Suffolk Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation, and the Eastern Suffolk School of Music. He was also a board member of the NYS Small Business Administration. In addition to serving as GNYADA Chairman from 2000 to 2001, Irwin was a longtime member of the Association's Executive Committee, serving on the Auto Show and

Government Relations Committees, among others. In 2006, he was GNYADA’s nominee for the prestigious Magazine Quality Dealer Award. Irwin leaves behind his wife of nearly 45 years, Flora; his children, Andrew, Carol, Bradley, Patricia, Mary, and William; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A big fan of the arts, Irwin could often be found enjoying opera with Flora at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. Irwin and Flora enjoyed traveling all over the world. He always had a smile and a good word to give others. On behalf of the Board of Directors, fellow GNYADA members, and staff, the Association expresses its deepest condolences to the Garsten family.

Irwin Garsten, Dealer Principal of Apple Honda in Riverhead and former GNYADA Chairman of the Board, passed away on February 7, 2017, at his home in Florida, following a heart attack. He was 86 years old. Irwin spent more than six decades in the automobile business. After

13 Helen M. Marshall, Former Queens Borough President, Passes Away at 87

she staunchly advocated for job training programs in the region. As Borough President, she was an active supporter of GNYADA's Center for Automotive Education and Training, which was built during her time in office. Ms. Marshall was the keynote speaker at Lincoln Tech Whitestone's inaugural graduation ceremony in 2006, and she regularly visited the Center on many subsequent occasions. In her four terms as Borough President, Ms. Marshall had many achievements, including successfully funding library projects in Queens as well as creating the Queens General Assembly, to encourage cross-cultural dialogues between ethnic groups. Prior to her term as Borough President, she served on the New York City Council for ten years, as well as in the State Assembly for eight. Ms. Marshall's survivors include her sister and two children. GNYADA extends its condolences to the Marshall family, for their loss.

Ms. Marshall with Association President Mark Schienberg at Lincoln Technical Institute’s 2006 graduation ceremony.

GNYADA was saddened to learn about the passing of former Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall on March 4 at age 87, at her home in Palm Desert, CA. Ms. Marshall, who served as Borough President from 2002 to 2013, was notably the first African-American elected to that office. As a Queens community activist,

Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association • www.gnyada.com

The Newsletter • March 2017 9