Norbert Stemcosky, known to anyone who knows anyone in Glen Cove, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, due to heart-related problems. He was 78 years old.

If you think politically, you will know Norb as the Glen Cove Democratic leader, as executive assistant to the county's Democratic commissioner of elections, as a former commissioner of weights and measures for the city or as a Glen Cove City Councilman appointed by Mayor Vincent "Jimmy" Suozzi from Nov. 1986 to Dec. 1987 to fill the seat left empty by the death of Ernie Pascucci.

You may have seen the Grand Marquis with the license plate "LOISNORB" pulling up at City Hall each workday just before 9 a.m. when Norb would drop off his beloved Lois, or at 5 p.m. when he came to pick her up. You could set your watch by it. The license plate was a bona fide manifestation of the relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Stemcosky. They were as inseparable as the names on the plate. They met at a dance at the Polish Hall in Port Washington and Lois admits to being immediately attracted to his kindness and his charming personality. Through their marriage, the couple were completely devoted to each other, to their children John, Michael and Sherry, and in later years to their grandchildren. When not with the family, Norb and Lois could often be found traveling. They loved cruises.

If you were lucky enough to have known Norb in the heyday of the '50s and '60s, odds are you spent some time at Stem's Bar on Carpenter Street in the Landing. "It was more of a club, or a gathering place, than just a bar," said Lois. Patrons included city workers, police officers, firefighters and politicians, among others. Back in the 1950s, Stem's Bar sponsored a great fast-pitch softball team called Stem's. According to Tom Trousdell, who now lives in Ormond Beach, FL and was a member of the original Stem's softball team, "Norby treated us like eagles even though we played like turkeys at times."

Honey Nowicki spent time at Stem's where, she said, Lois and Norb were like a king and queen together, always making everyone around them feel comfortable and welcome. She recalled many stories from Stem's and said, "On Saturday nights, Norb would cook for all the regulars."

Ah, the culinary skills. Almost everyone who was asked for a memory of Norb had one with a favorite cake involved. Honey remembered his holiday fruitcakes, sliced and wrapped individually, "so you could eat one piece at a time and freeze the rest." Deputy Mayor Carolyn Willson noted, "Norb loved to bake, made great cheesecakes and his grandchildren's birthday cakes."

And those cars. Glen Cove BDA Neil McNaughton said, "Norb always drove a Continental and all through the decade of the '60s, engaged couples would borrow Norby's Lincoln for the ride to church on their wedding day... and that included me! Norby's Lincoln always led the bridal party."

And lest we forget, Norb had a rank and title not achieved by many. He was a Past Exalted Ruler of the Glen Cove Elks, "with all the jewelry," said Lois.

Local elected officials have great praise for the man with many hats. Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp said, "The City of Glen Cove has lost a great friend with the death of Norbert Stemcosky. Norb was a true friend with a great sense of humor. He was my advisor for many years and stood by my side through all my elections. His contributions to Glen Cove are many and varied. Norb served as the Commissioner of Weights and Measures, as a City Councilman and as the Glen Cove Democratic leader. Prior to his public service, Glen Cove residents knew Norb as the owner of Stem's Bar in the Landing. He had a great sense of humor. We are going to miss Norb very much."

At Wednesday morning's funeral service at the Church of St. Hyacinth, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi spoke of his good friend. He held up a yardstick and explained that when Norb was running for city council 30 years ago, yardsticks emblazoned with "Norbert Stemcosky Measures Up" were given out to residents. It was appropriate, Mr. Suozzi stated. Norb always measured up. He later added, "Norb was a good friend and a good man. He will be very much missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved Lois and the family."

As are those of anyone who crossed Norbert Stemcosky's path. May he rest in peace.