Most people in Syosset knew it as "Bill Schier's Hardware Store;" its real name was Star Auto and Hardware," a Syosset staple for more than 50 years. The window covering sign announced that the store will be closing and a final inventory sale was under way.

The closing seems to confirm the end of an era in Syosset's history much more so than the departure of the last steam engine to stop at the Syosset train station; the closing of the Viennese Coach; or the conversion of the Villa Victor to a catering hall.

The event was probably forecast a few years ago when Bill died. The fact is that Bill was the heart and soul of this operation and was irreplaceable. Intelligent - an engineering degree from Marquette University; hardworking - he manned the store six full days a week; kind - helpful to those of us who were "do-it-yourself" challenged; resourceful - he knew how to fix everything and would lend you his tools with instructions.

My family moved into a new dwelling a few years ago and I needed the little pull string you attach to the basement lights to turn them on and off. Of course, I went to Bill's store, described what I needed and without hesitation he opened a small drawer behind the counter, took out a handful and said, "How many?" With equal alacrity he supplied me with new garbage cans, a post hole digger so I could put in a fence and whatever else I needed.

Years ago, before the transistor was invented, Bill had a tube testing station in the store and many Syosset residents lined up to test small TV tubes that kept our original black and white 12-inch TVs running for years.

The dawn of the new era started when the Long Island Savings Bank bought the "taxpayer" building on the west side of Jackson Avenue and demolished it to make room for construction of its headquarters (now Astoria Federal). The businesses lost at that time were Charlotte Ryan Insurance, Bakers Grocery Store and Jenken's Meat Market. Anthony's Jewelers moved to the east side of Jackson Avenue.

Little by little the old shops, stores and businesses have disappeared. Mel Zucker's children's store; Milt Feldman and his wife (Fieldwood Men's Clothing Store and Lady Fieldwood); Gus Klesies Repair Shop; Scott's 5 & 10; Frank Balletta's Law Office; Syosset Drugs; and Olney Liquor Store - all gone.

There's no doubt that Syosset has changed and the old guard has passed. But the final blow to the "olden days" is the closing of Bill Schier's Hardware Store.

We will never forget the kind, generous, patient and loving family man who left behind more than the ubiquitous smell of a good cigar, but the memory of a more cultured, service-oriented, neighborly suburbia.

Home Depot will never take his place.

Frank Giorgio Jr.