Mineola Deputy Mayor to Be Honored as Portuguese Man of the Year

Village of Mineola Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira can add another title to his resume, that of Portuguese Man of the Year for 2013.

The announcement that Pereira would receive the honor came Wednesday from the offices of Nassau Executive Ed Mangano and Comptroller George Maragos ahead of the second annual Portugal Day Celebration which will be held on June 10 at the county legislative building.

“It’s an honor,” Pereira said during a meeting of the Mineola Village Board on March 15 at the village hall, indicating that he had learned about the honor through Facebook. “I think I was nominated by a group of Portuguese leaders and chosen by them at a breakfast meeting a few months back and I found out later that day or the next day. It’s a great honor, it’s a great event.” 

New York State Sen. Jack Martins, who was the recipient of the award in 2012, will also be in attendance as will Nuno Brito, the Portuguese Ambassador to the United States.

Gabriel Marques, the general manager of the Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club, will be honored as the Portuguese Young Man of the Year.

Henrique Mano will be the recipient of the Friend of the Nassau County Portuguese Award.
Rose Leal was named as Women of the Year and Jaime Silva and Stefanie Riberio will share honors as Young Women of the Year.

Numerous business owners and operators in the Mineola and Williston Park area will also be honored, including:

• Leroy Barroca - Rite-Way Carting & Demo
  
• Manuel Carvalho – Bairrada Restaurant
  
• Roy Carvalho – Carvalho’s Restaurant
  
• Manuel Gomes – Café Sport 
  
• Paula Rego/John Malheiro – Bakers of All Nations
  
• Al Oliveira – Memories 
  
• Jack Silva – In The Mix