Bobby Menges, life-long resident of Garden City, died peacefully at home on September 8th 2017 with his parents, Liz and Pete, holding his hands by his side. He was 19 years old.
Bobby was originally diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 5, again at 10, and remained healthy until early 2016 when his cancer returned.
Bobby was a student at Duke, and was able to continue his cancer treatments at Duke University Medical Center while carrying a full load of classes. He was planning to major in Math and Music, and was a member of the Duke Jazz Band. Bobby was a mentor for teenage patients with chronic health issues through the ATLAS program at Duke Medical Center. He and his fraternity hosted a head-shaving event for two years that raised almost $75,000 for Duke Medical Center’s adolescent and young adult services. Bobby had also trained as a volunteer for Camp Kessem, a respite camp for children whose parents have cancer.
While a student at Garden City High School, Bobby was the president of his class for four years, an active member of numerous clubs, a member of the GCHS Marching Band, a varsity wrestler, a Junior Volunteer at NYU/Winthrop Hospital, a Junior Ambassador for the Central Property Owners Association, fundraiser for various cancer organizations (including the Miracle Foundation, Charlie’s Champions, St. Jude’s and St. Baldrick’s) and was named the Long Island Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Man of the Year” in June 2014 after raising nearly $95,000 in 10 weeks.
Despite — or possibly because of — his health issues, Bobby had devoted much of his life to community service and fundraising. With help from his father, Peter, he founded “Back in the Game” in 2006, a free program administered though Professional Performance Athletics in Garden City and funded by the Miracle Foundation, designed to help pediatric cancer patients of all ages gain back their strength, balance and coordination lost to side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. He and his brother, Jake, recently hosted their 11th semi-annual Blood Drive at their home in late December, and to date have collected almost 600 units of blood.
Bobby’s passion was playing the guitar, and he used that passion to raise money in charity events, as well as playing weekly throughout high school in the St. Brigid’s RCC Rock Band. Most recently he was a member of the band On Tap, which brought him great joy in what turned out to be the final months of his life.
Bobby is perhaps best known for his infectious smile and zest for living. He inspired others to be their better selves throughout his short life.
Cory Hubbard
Each January 17th marks the day Westhampton Beach High School graduate Cory Hubbard lost his life in 2014 after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while away at college. Cory’s parents, Ralph and Holly Hubbard, continue to reflect on his forever legacy and how his deep and innate love and concern for others shines on in the good work done in his memory.
Cory's good friend Pete DeTore, formally a coach at the Westhampton Beach High School, the school he and Cory attended gave a beautiful tribute to Cory as he addressed the wrestlers at a past Cory Hubbard Duals wrestling tournament. He also has used Cory's death at the hands of a drunk driver as a teachable moment.
As parents who have lost a child, Ralph said: "It is very heartwarming to hear people sharing memories of our child. All parents love to hear people say good things about their children."
Ralph said he and Holly have been overwhelmed with an outpouring of love in their son's honor. "We have been very fortunate. Cory's number 12 has been given to football and lacrosse players who demonstrate good character. Each year he is remembered at the Cory Hubbard Duals."
In addition, the Live Your Cor Foundation, created by the Hubbards to carry on Cory's spirit of lending a hand to others in need, and the Inlet2Inlet event, are able to help people in his honor "and create an opportunity to share Cory stories," Ralph said.
In his 22 years, Cory was able to make a forever and positive impact on scores of people, Ralph added. "We miss him every day. One of his friends said, 'I'm glad I knew him before he became bigger than life.'"
Cory, his father said, "was a wonderful young man. As his parents, we knew he was a good person. We never imagined the far-reaching impact he had on people."
Days after they heard the most heartbreaking news any parent could ever have to bear in 2014, Cory Hubbard's mother and father reflected on his beautiful life."He was a very special boy," his mother, Holly Hubbard said. "He was fun, easygoing, the life of the party. He always seemed to have a smile, and was always joking."
Friends and family were devastated to learn that Cory, a student at the University of Maryland, diedafter he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.
Friends from near and far have reached out, then and now, to share with his parents the impact that the young man made on their lives.
"He was put here to make people's lives better, to give love and take love. That was his role, God's mission for him. And we're so lucky to have had him,"Ralph said.
The young man took his penchant for travel and pursued it as a young college student, seeing Alaska, and spending a semester in Australia and traveling to New Zealand, his father said. "He said it was the trip of a lifetime," Hubbard remembered, his voice breaking with grief. "He was his inquisitive self. He always loved to travel."
"His college roommates were interviewed and said he was a peacekeeper," Holly said. "He was the one always keeping everyone in check, as a lacrosse goalie, the one that gave everyone support on the field."
The Hubbards said they and their eldest son Kyle want to thank the community for the tremendous outpouring of love they've received in the years since Cory's death."We are just blown away, by the amount of support and kindness. Everyone wants to do something. It's unbelievable. It's just a shame it has to come in the face of tragedy," she said.
Through sports, including lacrosse, football and wrestling, and through REACH, a program he pursued with the Westhampton Presbyterian Church, the young man "was quick to make friends," Hubbard said. "One girl told us that even though she'd only met him once, she'd never forget him."
Hubbard lettered in football, wrestling and lacrosse at Westhampton Beach High School, earning All-County recognition in all three varsity sports. He was also awarded the Golden 11 award, which is given to 11 football players in Suffolk County, N.Y., who excel academically and athletically, according to Kathleen Masterson, former athletic director at Westhampton Beach High School. “He was one of the top [lacrosse] goalies to ever graduate,” Masterson said.
Friends were heartbroken by his loss. "Cory was always full of a never-ending energy," said Joanna DeLeon. "He was blessed with a light that could shine for eternity. His smile made you smile and his laugh made you laugh. He brought joy to people's lives and I will always remember him that way."
David C Bloom
The David C. Bloom Memorial Duals has been in existence since 2000 and has been held each year (excluding the Covid 2021 season). The tournament is in memory of David C. Bloom who wrestled for Wantagh H.S. from 1994-1998. During his time at Wantagh, David was team captain and earned All County status at the 1997 Nassau County Championships. Aside from his wrestling accomplishments, David really thrived on the "team" aspects of wrestling and took more pride in the relationships he built amongst teammates rather than his own accolades. David passed away in 1999, one day prior to his 19th birthday. With this tournament, we continue to honor his memory.
Joe Davidson
Every year the Sachem North wrestling program hosts the Joe Davidson Memorial Duals in honor of a Sachem alum and former teacher who passed away in 2005. Through this tournament his honor and legacy lives on.
Joe Davidson committed himself to the Sachem wrestling program for three decades. He began as a high school student and was the first Suffolk County finalist for new head coach Jack Mahoney in 1973. The following year he followed that up by winning the 119 pound crown and placing fourth in the New York State Tournament his senior year. That following summer, he was a Junior National Runner-up in Greco Roman Wrestling.
During college he made three different stops. He began as a Junior College All-American at Suffolk Community College and then went on to compete at the University of Rhode Island and SUNY Brockport. During the summers, Joe would also compete in the annual Empire State Games and was a multiple gold medalist in both Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling.
Although he still competed in some local tournaments, Joe then turned his attention to the coaching profession, returning to his alma mater and guiding young wrestlers alongside his own coach Jack Mahoney. Together they continued to build a powerhouse in both Section XI and New York State. Under the Davidson-Mahoney tandem, Sachem produced 116 Suffolk County place winners, 30 champions, and 24 New York State place winners. As a team during that time, Sachem compiled an unheard of record of 231-43-2, winning 22 dual meet or League I tournament titles, one New York State Cup, four Section XI championships and three New York State Championship teams.
It's obvious that along with Coach Mahoney, Joe Davidson has been integral to the success of Sachem wrestling. Winning followed him from the mat to the coaching ranks as he was one of the most decorated wrestlers to come through Sachem. He was a gifted athlete and an unbelievable coach who inspired countless wrestlers to achieve above and beyond their capabilities.
The program and community took a hit in 2005 when he met his untimely death. The loss was felt by the many people who were part of the Sachem family whose lives he had encountered over the years. The annual Joe Davidson Memorial Duals, held every year in December, helps keep his memory alive.
Kujan Brothers
The Kujan Brothers’ Memorial Tournament is a storied tradition that features some of the top teams across Nassau and Suffolk counties competing in honor of two former William Floyd wrestlers, Kevin and Steve Kujan. The brothers were tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on June 10,1984.
The Kujan family was known throughout the community for their athleticism and toughness. Brothers John, Tommy and Mike also wrestled as well as played other sports. Tommy was William Floyd’s first county place winner in 1977.
For as much as the Kujan family excelled in sport, they were a family that gave back. John Sr. (Mr. Kuj) started the Lynvets , a Pop Warner football program in the early 70’s and still to this day feeds the High School program. You could find the entire family on any given Sunday at the elementary school, where the older brothers were coaching and the younger ones playing. Dad was the commissioner and mom (Mrs. Kuj.) ran the concessions out of an old bread truck converted to a rolling diner.
Shortly after Kevin and Steve’s passing then Varsity coach Dan Nolan felt that a tournament in the brothers name could help in the process of healing a community. For 30 years this tournament has been, not a reminder of their death but a celebration of how they lived.
Patrick J Butler
Sadly, on the same evening that he was honored as an All County wrestler, Patrick Butler, age 15, lost his life in a tragic automobile crash as a passenger along 4 other Seaford wrestling teammates in 2004. Pat was an exceptionally talented Seaford High School sophomore. Throughout middle school and high school he was on the honor roll. Patrick was a talented musician, and played trombone in both the Symphonic and Concert bands. He was selected as an All County musician and played in the annual concert at the Tilles Center at C.W. Post College.
Patrick had competed in science fairs and his academic schedule was comprised of AP courses. In middle school, he played on the school football, basketball, wrestling, and lacrosse teams. In high school, he continued to play football and lacrosse, and chose wrestling as his winter sport because he felt he could make a significant contribution. Wrestling soon became his greatest thrill and challenge.
Patrick trained and competed with determination, confidence and sportsmanship. He always checked the wrestling records of his opponents on the internet, in anticipation of future matches. He was keenly aware of the strengths and weakness of everyone in the surrounding weight classes. He usually talked with his opponents after matches, often discussing moves and strategies “for next time”. Wrestling taught Pat motivation, confidence, and self-discipline. He considered himself an important member of a championship team.
Patrick leaves behind his parents, Cissie and Joseph, and younger siblings: Elizabeth, Kevin, and Katherine. He is dearly missed by his family, countless friends, and the entire Seaford community. Patrick will always be remembered for his sense of humor, love of practical jokes, and for his million dollar smile.
