JANUARY 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 13
TRIBUTE TO THE PUBLISHER
John Kominicki hired me as a
writing coach, but was such a
brilliant nuts-and-bolts editor
that I ended up turning to
him for help. A few years ago,
I was co-editing a multi-story
project and my own piece
kept growing. It reached about 1,700 words. I
didn’t know if it could be salvaged. Desperate,
I called John. He was swamped with his own
work but he said, ‘Sure, send it over.’ I did.
Two hours later the piece comes back at 800
words. I couldn’t see a single cut he made, not
one deleted word. He made me sound brilliant,
which shows how brilliant he was.
-Jim Stasiowski, writing coach
John Kominicki gave me my first break
in journalism when he hired me at the
Oklahoma City Journal-Record in 1996. I
was amazed at how his writing seemed to
flow effortlessly, with precision and, when
appropriate, humor. I learned from John how
to breathe life into business stories. I credit
him with helping me start my path in the
profession I love.
- Leigh Jones, deputy editor in chief, Law.com
and former editor, Long Island Business News.
John Kominicki perceived how Long Island
works – and doesn’t work – immediately.
Back in 1998 he introduced a speaker at
a meeting who regaled the audience with
a long-winded tale of then-Islip Town
Supervisor Pete McGowan managing to
coax then-CEO of Southwest Airlines
Herb Kelleher into bringing Southwest to
MacArthur. The speaker droned on about
the leaders bonding over smoking, beerdrinking,
and tall-tale telling. He finally sat
down. John approached the podium, pausing
dramatically. “Up until now,” he finally said,
“I always figured Southwest came to Islip
because it has an airport.” I’m grateful as hell
he was in my life, however briefly.
-Michael Watt,
President, Long Island Inc.
John moderated a
panel discussion in
2012 on technology
commercialization.
About 15 minutes
before the start, he
motioned me over.
“Jimmy, I have an
emergency. I have
to leave. Please
sub for me.” I was
totally unprepared
and said I feared
making a fool of
myself. He replied:
“Well, it won’t be
the first time for
you. Listen to me.
You’ll do fine. Just
drink a martini,
smoke a cigarette
and insult a couple
of people.” He
flashed the famous
Kominicki grin:
“Everyone will
think you’re me.” I subbed for John that night. He was
half right. I did fine. But nobody thought I was him.
Nobody else could be.
-Jim Morgo, former Suffolk County
Chief Deputy County Executive
The bar at the old Holiday Inn in
Ronkonkoma was John’s second
office, the one where he could
smoke and enjoy karaoke night.
When someone truly needed
Kominicki’s ear, they’d turn up
there. Here new features were
created for the paper and business
deals solidified. Ideas were drafted
on napkins. John kept pen in one
hand, Courvoisier in the other. An
endless assortment of notables from
business and government would
stream in seeking his help. It was
exhausting but John thrived on it.
He loved an audience. They loved
him back, even when he insisted
on telling his Bruno Hauptmann
joke, which no one but him ever
understood. He so loved history,
humor and humanity.
- Jaci Clement, Fair Media Council
executive director and former
editor, Long Island Business News. John Kominicki was creative, dynamic and
provocative, one of the most engaging people I’ve
met. Long Island and the world need more people
like him. I learned as much from him as anyone I’ve worked for or with. I miss the days of
perfecting headlines on a wooden bench near the LIBN front door in 40-degree weather. He
would smoke. I would shiver. It was all brilliant.
-David Reich-Hale, Newsday business reporter/former editor, Long Island Business News
John and I were like Mickey Rooney and Judy
Garland in the movies: ‘Hey kids, let’s put on a show!’
John had these unique, wacky ideas. My co-worker
Joann Buynoch said, “It’s like he starts charging
up the mountain, and says ‘Come on, let’s go!’ He
expects us all to go with him.” We worked long days
filled with making things up and making them work.
John was the essential master of ceremonies, the
voice you listened to whether you agreed or not. A
date on his overextended calendar was a prize. There
was no prize greater than a late-night cocktail and
conversation. For 15 years, the biggest event I ran
every day was John Kominicki.
-Marlene McDonnell,
former event manager,
Long Island Business News