Ellen Andrasick is Nassau's senior woman of the year
Ellen Andrasick, of Franklin Square, was recently named Nassau County's Senior Woman of the Year for 2026. She is pictured here with state Assemb. Ed Ra (R-Garden City South) and Debbie Pugliese, deputy commissioner of the Nassau County Office for the Aging. Credit: Assembly Minority Conference
Ellen Andrasick has done a little bit of everything to improve her community in Franklin Square.
Andrasick, 86, has tackled tasks ranging from driving older residents to doctor’s appointments several times a week to picking up litter throughout the hamlet multiple times a year, she said. She has also raised thousands of dollars for various civic associations through her involvement with the Community League of Garden City South and the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s Lodge 2245 in Franklin Square.
Andrasick was recently recognized for her “extraordinary volunteerism” as one of more than 100 older adults honored this spring by the state Office for the Aging. She was also named Nassau County’s 2026 Senior Woman of the Year by the Nassau County Office for the Aging.
“I just like to help out; I’m a people person,” Andrasick said: “It’s very rewarding when you see people working together to things get accomplished.”
Andrasick was born and raised in Garden City, but moved to Franklin Square after marrying her late husband, Bob. She has lived in the hamlet for nearly 60 years.
She spent 38 years as an administrative assistant in the foreign language laboratory at Adelphi University in Garden City before retiring about 10 years ago. That's when she began devoting more time to community service, she said.
One of her primary roles is serving as a board member for the Community League of Garden City South, which strives to “maintain a suburban quality of life for the residents and merchants” of Franklin Square, according to its website.
She also serves as a trustee for Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s Lodge 2245 in Franklin Square. Her responsibilities include securing advertising for a monthly member newsletter and for a journal published in conjunction with the organization’s annual dinner-dance.
New York State Assemb. Ed Ra (R-Garden City South) praised Andrasick for "pouring her time and energy" into helping the people of Franklin Square.
"If anyone deserves that award, it's her," Ra said. "Ellen has always brought a tireless dedication and tremendous spirit to everything she does. Our community is better because she's a part of it."
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman called Andrasick "a remarkable person."
"Her community spirit and dedication to helping others have greatly improved the lives of her neighbors and exemplify another reason why Nassau County is the best place to live in New York," Blakeman said in a statement.
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
