A Passion for Presidents

By Doug Geed

Steve Gilroy was a teenager back in the 70's when he heard that Richard Nixon was going to be speaking at Roosevelt Field Mall. Steve had no interest in politics, Presidents or Nixon, but he and some friends went for that all-American reason -- the chance to be on tv!

He got there early and got a spot right in front and something happened. He became fascinated watching Nixon speak. It was official. Gilroy -- a history and Civil War buff since childhood -- developed a penchant for Presidents.   Since then, Gilroy -- who lives in East Norwich and teaches history in Manhasset schools -- has been to 9 inaugurations, 3 Presidential funerals and has met 7 Chief Executives. (For the record, he says Nixon was the most unusual -- strange, awkward, uncomfortable in any social setting. Gilroy worked at Sagamore Hill for awhile and Nixon visited there with his grandaughter and he remembers how weird it was hearing Nixon speak "baby-talk" to her. He says the first George Bush was the most relaxed and friendly -- and Bill Clinton was the one with most Presidential charisma -- an "aura" that you feel as soon as you see him in person.

 I've been in the news business nearly 30 years and have met a couple of Presidents, sitting and former, and it isn't easy. I asked Steve how he makes it seem so simple to have met 7 of them and he told me what he tells his students -- "You have to be politely pushy." Be too polite and you'll miss the chance, be too pushy and you'll be cast aside.

 This coming Monday (President's Day of course) photographer Brian Endres and I will tell you the quirky story of Steve Gilroy. The piece will start airing at 8 am and continue all afternoon and night.
 You'll be amazed at what Steve has in his house -- from Presidential buttons, hats and shirts -- to a Presidential toilet seat and vials filled with dirt from the birthplaces of almost all of our Presidents. He even has a replica of the Oval Office in his house.

 A bit much? Some people might think so. But Steve says he has never been bored for one second in his life and always urges both his students and his own children to be passionate about something -- whether it's sports, music, theater or politics. Good advice.

   Hope you can join me this Monday. It's a fun story.