The-Leader_2008-06-12

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Merrick Road &^»an Avenue
Freeport, N.Y. 11520
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73;rd Year, No. 24 Freeport, N.Y. 11520
The Community Newspaper
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Freeport/Baldwin Father of the Year
by Laura Schofer
Mario Hyppolite of Baldwin is the Leader's Father of the Year. He was nomi­nated by his daughter, Monique, who wrote that her father is her best friend who can make her forget her troubles. She added that her father is someone who always knows the right thing to say and do.
The Hyppolites have two children, Marlin, who is 24 years old and 19-year-old Monique. Mario and his wife of 25 years, Violene have also provided a loving home to their niece Rochelle, whom they consid­er to be their child.
Although Mario has many hobbies, his number one priority is his family. During the week Mario rises before 5 am. to get to his job as the Diagnostics Specialist for the Bayridge Lexis dealership in Brooklyn. But on the weekends he is home, gaidening, puttering around the house, riding his motorcycle or fixing one of his cars.
Monique told The Leader that it is her father's love of cars and all things mechani­cal that has helped to make her into a strong young woman who never has to call 'Triple A." She can change a tire, car battery and even spark plugs.
"It's true; Monique has those skinny arms but she lifted the car battery out of the car," said Mario. "\^olene's car wouldn't start and over the telephone I gave Monique directions on what to do and she did it. She
changed the battery and the car started. When I got home I. •gave her $20. Her mom could never do it but Monique, she can do most things." .
Monique also wrote about her father's hearty laugh. When The Leader called to tell Mario he was Father of the Year, he chuckled. "I'm surprised, very sur­prised."
He and Monique both have the same sense of humor. "We are always cracking jokes at the dinner table. My wife says 'diere they go again.' When Marlin is home, he joins in as well," said Mario.
The Hyppolite family has lived in Baldwin for 13 years. Mario is a self-made man who came fix)m Haiti in 1974 when he was 15 years old. His son MarUn is a gradu­ate student studying biology at the University of Florida in Tampa and Monique is a rising sophomore at the University, of Connecticut. Rochelle, a graduate of Howard University, lives in Maryland with
her husband and their little
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What does Mario plan to do for Father's Day? .
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spend the day
cutting the
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grass and I'll do some garden­grass
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and Mario Hyppolite
ing. I love to use the hose to
water the grass," said Mario. "I'm a laid-back person, maybe go for a ride on my motorcycle. It will be nice just to be home with my family."'
Congratulations to Mario Hyppolite and a Happy Father's Day to all the fathers in Baldwin and Freeport.
As Father of the Year Mario Hyppolite has won the following prizes awarded by local merchants and businesses. They are two dozen doughnuts from Dunkin'Donuts; a free eye exam from Access Optical; a $25 gift certificate from The Schooner; a bottle
of champagne from Atlantic Bay view Wines and Liquors; a $25 gift certificate from Piccolo Pizza and a one-year subscrip­tion to The FreeportrBaldwin Leader.
. The Winning Letter .
/ would like to nominate my Dad, Mario Hyppolite for the Father of the Year. I take it as an honor to be able to let so many people
know that my father is the most deserving recipient.
My father is the type of person who wouldn 't hesitate to help a friend in need, bestow some wisdom or share a hearty laugh.
My father and 1 are alike in many ways and I consider myself very lucky to have some of his most endearing traits. I will admit to being a girly girl, but because of my dad I can change a tire, car battery and even some sparkplugs! My father has also encouraged me to be a strong and inde­pendent young woman (and I never have to call Triple A!) I know that no matter how terrible my day has been I can count on my father to have the perfect anecdote that makes me forget about whatever made me feel down My dad and I have bonded on so many levels and I know that I can talk to him about anything. Having a father that I can also consider my best friend is the most heartwarming, comfortable and amazing feeling in the world for a girl to have.
Monique Hyppolite
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