THE ROCKAWAY I KNEW
By Matthew Bashie
Introduction
We are pleased to announce that starting with this "issue" of our new and improved "memories" website, we will be presenting a complete and original autobiography written by a long-time Far Rockaway resident. This memoir relates some of the highlights in the life of a young boy who had the opportunity to experience some of the "old Far Rockaway" -- a life lived in simpler times and in much happier days.
These chapters -- presented in a serialized form -- will relate some of the many exciting experiences he had as a child growing up in our hometown of Rockaway Beach. The material is presented over a twenty year period -- but not in diary form. Perhaps you might recognize him -- or some of his friends -- or some of the places he visited. Perhaps he is YOU or maybe he was your best friend -- or per chance he reminds you of your best friend.
Sit back and enjoy his exploits. This project is still very much in the writing so if you have something to add or a comment to make, the author would appreciate hearing from you. Although these are recollections of events that took place some four decades ago, every attempt has been made to maintain detailed accuracy. Naturally, from time to time, there might be an error in time or place -- something that perhaps you might detect and wish to correct. Keep in mind that this "story" is the history of one person -- and from time to time, perhaps a bit of poetic license has been employed to make the tale move a bit faster or to make it an easier read. I guess this is to be expected in almost every biography.
Matthew Bashie was born in a private home back in the early 1940s. His parents split up when he was very young -- and then got back together again when he was eight years old -- and it is at the
time of the reconciliation that the family moved into Far Rockaway, into a brand new apartment in a brand new building known as "Wavecrest Gardens" on Beach 20th Street and Crest Road. Matthew was an only child of working parents and found himself pretty much on his own at a young age -- to make new friends and to explore new surroundings. New York City was a bit of a culture shock to a boy who came from the deep south.
Matthew attended Public School 106 in Edgemere, began his studies in Public School 215 when it first opened in September of 1953, continued on into Junior High School 198 when the school was only a year old, and then graduated from Far Rockaway High School in the early 1960s.
Matthew held a series of small (after-school) jobs in a variety of shops in the Far Rockaway town, ranging from "nothing" positions at a toy store (Harvey's) and an auto dealership (Wides) to the occasional summer employment on the Rockaway boardwalk (Jack & Lenny Klein's). Upon graduation from high school, he immediately entered college in Manhattan and held part-time jobs in New York City. Matt also held a series of minor positions with the Garden City School District (Nassau County), Far Rockaway High School, and as a case worker with the Department of Social Services in Suffolk County. Matt would love to hear from you, care of this website.
This is just the first of what we hope will turn out to be many contributions to our website "personal interest" column -- so if you have something to offer, we would love to discuss it with you and perhaps your work will also appear on "these pages" some day in the very near future.