Former Hempstead Mayor George Milhim dies

George Milhim, who served two terms as Hempstead Village mayor in the 1980s, was known for spurring economic development and being dedicated to improving his community and the lives of its residents.

"He devoted a big part of his life to public service," said his son George E. Milhim of Plainview. "Whenever he saw something that was wrong he wanted to make it right."

The elder Milhim died Christmas Eve at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola following a heart attack and stroke, his son said. He was 84.

Milhim was hailed by other Hempstead mayors, including the man who unseated him in 1989, fellow Republican James Garner, who became Long Island's first black mayor. Milhim was mayor from 1981 to 1989.

Garner beat Milhim and a Democratic opponent after the GOP endorsed Garner over Milhim. Milhim, who ran as an independent when he sought a third term, had alienated some in his party over his failed bid to take over the village police department, according to news reports at the time.

Garner said Tuesday Milhim's passing was "another loss for our community. . . . We may not always agree, but we were agreeable."

The village's current mayor, Wayne Hall, a Democrat, said in a statement Tuesday that Milhim served as mayor "during a time of significant upheaval; the village was undergoing a period of demographic and economic change," alluding to the village's status as a majority black and Hispanic community, and its economic challenges. Hall said Milhim "fought for new business development, the expansion of housing units and a safer community. It is safe to say that much of the development that occurred in Hempstead was spurred by his leadership and reached fruition because of his support."

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Milhim was also involved in numerous civic and business groups. He was a past master of the Morton Masonic Lodge No. 63. He was also a man of faith and helped found St. John Orthodox Church, now located in Levittown, his son said.

Besides his son, George, Milhim's survivors include his wife, Najla, also known as Nancy, of Hempstead; son Lewis G. Milhim of Cold Spring Harbor; daughter Gail O'Donovan of Massapequa; sister Eleanor Menzies of Huntington Station; and six grandchildren.

A funeral Mass for Milhim was held Dec. 30 at St. John Orthodox Church in Levittown; burial followed at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale.