Over the past 27 years, James Mcinnis had worked alongside four mayors, five village clerks and numerous board of trustee members in the Village of Munsey Park as a utility worker.
In December, his time at the village came to a close as the Queens resident retired to spend time “relaxing and travelling the world.”
Mcinnis, 61, referred to as “Jim,” was well known by residents and colleagues alike.
“I was kind of the overseer of Munsey Park,” he said laughing. “Everyone knew me.”
Mcinnis’ responsibilities included handling all grounds work in the village from plowing snow during the winter to blowing leaves during the spring and putting up signs over the summer.
Mcinnis, who supervised three staff members at the time of his retirement, said he started as a seasonal utility worker in Munsey Park in the fall of 1988.
“At the time, I was preparing for my corrections officer’s exams,” he said. “I had already done the physical and everything. I wanted to be a corrections officer.”
After the seasonal job from June to October was over that year, his boss at the time, Dave Kleppers, told him to stay.
“He said he likes the way I worked and that I should stay and I stayed for 27 years,” Mcinnis said. “I dropped that dream off and joined the staff full time.”
Mcinnis began working under Mayor Arthur Schultheiss, continued under Harry Nicolaides, Frank DeMento and retired under the administration of Sean Haggerty.
He said he loved what he was doing and it kept him busy.
“There’s always something to do in Munsey Park,” McInnis said.
And, according to village officials, McInnis was always willing to do it.
After suffering a heart attack on the job and having a bypass surgery, he got on the phone the next day from the hospital to make sure the village had enough salt to weather the next storm, Village Clerk Barbara Miller said.
Early in February, the Village of Munsey Park released a statement that thanked Mcinnis for his dedication, professionalism and 27 year service to the community.
“Every moment was a good moment,” he said when asked about his most memorable moment.
“Sometimes I think I’m still working,” he added.
Mcinnis said shortly after leaving the village he’d wake up in the morning to put on his boots and clothes before realizing he’s now retired.
Miller, who has worked with Mcinnis for almost two years says he’s that kind of person.
Mcinnis, a retired veteran, served in the U.S. Navy and stationed in Panama serving 13 years.
“I’m probably going to travel somewhere. I might take a trip to Korea,” Mcinnis said. “I don’t know. I’ll probably sit back and relax.”
Town Councilwoman Dina DeGiorgia joined North Hempstead Chief of Staff Cindy Cardinal to issue a proclamation during the Feb. 10 Munsey Park board meeting, thanking Mcinnis for his service to the village.
Mayor Sean Haggerty and the village trustees honored him with the title of superintendent of public works.
