DECEMBER 2017 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 9
Remembering John Kominicki
John Kominicki, left, was an honoree at a LISTnet event called “Launch Your Stars” on Dec. 11, 2013 at the Garden City Hotel. On right is Peter Goldsmith.
By PETER GOLDSMITH
John had many faces and all of them were
outstanding. No matter if he wrote, spoke or
sang, people listened and reacted. Upon moving
to Long Island and taking over the Long Island
Business News, he immediately made an impact
because he demanded excellence in himself and
others.
At least four times a year four of us went out to
dinner and to talk. The four Yacov Shamash,
Ron Parr, John and I. I always brought pen and
paper for John, because he was always looking
for leads but never had anything to write them
down on. Our dinners covered many topics and
we all listened when John spoke, since he had
insights we all valued.
When my son decided to open his own law practice
and I proudly told John, he made up a front
page of a newspaper with my son’s picture and a
story about him and his new firm. John was always
there to help people, bring people together
and grow Long Island. Early on he invited many
of the top organizations on LI to dinner and
asked that we all work for the common good, for
Long Island. Then in 1997, when LISTnet started,
John did a cover story on our move to the
LI Technology Center in Great River. That page
now is on the front wall of our Digital Ballpark
in Plainview and it signifies what John meant to
LISTnet and to me.
Marlene asked a few of us to throw him a 50th
birthday party. Nobody enjoyed it more than
John: He talked, he ate, he sang and had a ball
along with the many people who attended. In
the 12 years since then even more people were
positively touched by John. From the many
events he started, like 40 Under 40 and Top 50
Women, he honored the best of the best. But
top on the List of the Best is John Kominicki:
The events were a success because of his
personality.
The phrase “Innovate Long Island” never
existed until John created an online newsletter
and website that many on Long Island read
three times a week. It not only had news, but
had John’s wit and charm. Then he and Vicki
Schneps got together soon after Vicki bought
the Long Island Press. She knew she needed
someone who understood Long Island, who
Long Island respected and who was a newspaper
man. Only one person fit all of that and she
made John the publisher.
It was launched in 2017 with John’s picture and
editorial. There was so much promise in that
marriage until John got sick. But the Press will
build on John’s personality, and with Vicki and
Josh’s leadership will become an important
voice for Long Island. I am so thankful that
Vicki gave John the opportunity to have his face
and ideas in print once more before he left us.
I can only say I am a better person because of
my friendship with him, Long Island is a better
place because of him, and he will always remain
in the hearts of many. Rest well, mon ami.
Peter Goldsmith is the former president of technology
advocacy group LISTnet.