History

A Century of Excelence

troop from 1921
Inaugural troop in front of original troop house (now the MAA field house)

On June 9, 1921, the first charter for Troop 45 was issued. Sponsored by the Civic League of Mineola, Joseph Nohowec was the first Troop 45 Scoutmaster. During the next 14 years there were 4 Scoutmasters and in 1929 the Troop produced their first Eagle Scouts. Many of the Scouts involved with the Troop during these years grew to become well known adults in Nassau, getting involved in many areas of civic life in the county.

In 1935 John Svoboda became Scoutmaster; a position he would hold, excluding the WWII years of 43-45, till 1973. In 1937, Mr. Svoboda and two Scouts attended the first National Jamboree in Washington, D.C.. For the first 25 years of its existence, Troop 45 was sponsored by diverse groups ranging from the Mineola Scout Committee to the Mineola Council.

In 1946 the Troop celebrated its 25th anniversary and also became part of the First Presbyterian Church Family for it was in that year that the church became Troop 45’s Sponsoring Organization.  That is a relationship that has lasted and we are proud today to still be a part of the First Presbyterian Church’s youth outreach.

In 1973, Frank Pewarski, who had started as a Scout in Troop 45, became its Scoutmaster. This is a position that Frank would hold until his 1996 retirement. That year, a big Troop 45 75th anniversary party was held at Wilson Park. Many of the Scouts and Scouters who had been a part of the Troop over the years joined with the new Troop members to celebrate its rich history. This was also a special day as the Troop honored Frank Pewarski for over 40 years of service as a Scout and a Scouter in Troop 45.

After Frank Pewarski’s retirement, Bill Lorusso and Frank D’Elia took over the job of Scoutmaster and then in September, 1998 Steve Grosskopf (Mr. G) took the position.  A long time Scouter and member of Troop 45 as well as a Silver Beaver recipient, Steve had recently concluded a successful 3 year run as Shelter Rock District Chairman before becoming our Scoutmaster.

The troop has held a number of milestone dinners, the past two being the 90th Anniversary in 2011 and 100th Anniversary in 2021.  Over 250 members of our Troop Family participated including over a hundred former Troop 45 Scouts and leaders who came from near and far to help celebrate this momentous occasion with the Troop Family.  It was a wonderful time for our alumni to see that their Troop is still providing a high quality program to our village and for the current members to get an idea of just how important Troop 45 is to our alumni. This was also a historical day as the Troop was able to recognize Steve Grosskopf "Mr. G" for 25 years of service to Troop 45 as scoutmaster. He  was also bestowed the honor of honorary Eagle Scout for having mentored over 100 scouts who obtained the rank under his leadership.

In August of 2022, troop 45 alumni Glenn Peters became the 11th man to serve as scoutmaster of troop 45. Glenn previously served as Senior Patrol Leader from 2010-2013. In addition Glenn served as Lodge Chief of Buckskin Lodge of the Order of The Arrow from 2013-2015. Glenn is a vigil honor member of the order of the arrow and has earned the Summit award rank in Venturing. He is the first Eagle Scout from the troop to serve in the position.

Over the years of Troop 45’s history, 200+ Eagles (as of summer 2022) have come from our ranks. As less that 4% of Scouts attain the rank of Eagle, having this number from Troop 45 is indeed something special. But even more important are the thousands of boys from the Mineola and the surrounding areas who have become better adults because of their years in Troop 45. Those boys, who have gone on to become policemen, lawyers, judges, mayors, village trustees, doctors, teachers, and just about every other occupation, are truly the legacy of Troop 45’s history.

Scoutmasters

Glenn Peters

September, 2022  to  Present

 

Steven M. Grosskopf

August, 1998  to  August, 2022

 

Frank D’Elia

December, 1997 to August, 1998

 

William Lorusso

June, 1996 to December, 1997

 

Frank Pewarski

June, 1973 to June, 1996

 

John W. Svoboda

October, 1945 to June, 1973

 

Claude W. Conklin

October, 1942 to October, 1945

 

John W. Svoboda

October, 1935 to October, 1942

 

Claude W. Conklin

June, 1928 to October, 1935

 

Benjamin F. Jones

June, 1927 to June, 1928

 

Irving A. McCanlis

June, 1926 to June, 1927

 

William Kissam

June, 1924 to June, 1926

 

Irving A. McCanlis

June, 1923 to June, 1924

 

Joseph Nohowec

June, 1921 to June, 1923

Committee Chairmen

2014-Present Arnold Austria

2004-2014 Frank D’Elia III

2003-2004 Dr. John Kukor

1999-2003 Dan Bartolomeo

1995-1999 Andrew McInnes

1988-1995 Donald Lindsly

1986-1988 Frank Franz

1984-1986 Walter Strauss

1982-1984 Robert Helfrich

1980-1982 Alfred J. Turnini

1978-1980 Herbert Franke

1975-1978 Frank Leibeck

1972-1975 Curtis Hess

1970-1972 Edward W. Murdock

1968-1970 Jordan E. Eichhorn

1966-1968 Stanley R. Court

1964-1966 George H. Uhl

1962-1964 Robert Feyerabend

1960-1962 Edward Essenwein

1958-1960 Frank W. Franz

1957-1958 William L. Warren

1956-1957 E.J. Goodale, Jr.

1955-1956 Maurice Feay

1954-1955 E.J. Goodale, Jr.

1952-1954 D.E. Yarbrough

1951-1952 William Scheff

1950-1951 Walter Weiss

1948-1950 Sidney Thomas

1947-1948 August Hoelle

1946-1947 Claude W. Conklin

1945-1946 William R. Foulkes

1942-1945 Chester R. Painter

1936-1942 William E. Tatem

1935-1936 George C. Rose

1929-1935 William E. Tatem

1927-1929 William Drury

1926-1927 Frank H. Meeler

1924-1926 Albin Pearson

1922-1924 J.D. Neel

1921-1922 F.L. Jenkins