Dedicated Merrick scout leader thanked for 50 years of service

His life is scouts.”

Pat Ciniglio, Uniformed leader

If you ask anyone who’s part of Boy Scout Troop 225, in Merrick, what has enabled it to remain active for the past 50 years, the answer most would probably give is simple: Heywood Blaufeux, better known to the troop as Woody.

The 89-year-old Blaufeux founded Troop 225 in 1973, and his dedication, mentorship and selflessness have kept the troop thriving, according to past and current members, scoutmasters, uniformed leaders and committee chairs who have had the pleasure of working with him.

Pat Ciniglio, a uniformed leader in the troop whose son Joseph completed his Eagle Scout project last year, told the Herald that Blaufeux is truly iconic.

“His life is scouts,” Ciniglio said. “He loves what he’s doing, and I commend him.”

Melissa Rossi, a committee chair who handles the business side of the troop, has three sons who are scouts. Rossi’s husband, David, is a uniformed leader, and her oldest son, also named David, became an Eagle Scout in January. She explained that when Cub Scouts are moving up, or “bridging,” to Boy Scouts, it’s customary for them to visit local troops, to see which may be the best fit for them.

“I didn’t know anything about Troop 225 before my oldest son joined,” Melissa Rossi said. “But my husband went and, you know, looked at these troops with my son, and I feel like what (Woody) brings was a big draw for us.”

She added that when prospective scouts learn that the troop’s founder is still involved, they’re both surprised and intrigued.

“He rarely misses meetings — he’s always the first person there,” Rossi went on. “He doesn’t just get himself involved with the boys, he’s also involved with the committee. He’s always got input on what we’re planning, and tells us how they’ve done it in the past. Sometimes history repeating itself is a good thing.”

Blaufeux lives in Brooklyn, and drives two hours every Monday to Merrick to take part in troop meetings. Lori Cook, whose family got involved with the troop last year, said that watching Blaufeux work with new scouts is remarkable.

“He helps everyone in anyway he can — he gets them acclimated to scouts,” she explained. “He’s amazing — so with it and so sharp. He sits with old scouts, new scouts, and helps them to get to the next rank.”

Blaufeux is also known for taking members of Troop 225 on memorable trips. The scouts have traveled to Boston; Annapolis, Maryland; and Washington, D.C., among other places, and even went to Canada once. The trips are always fun and educational, Ciniglio said.

“These are memories that he gave me and my son,” he said. “He gives the kids lessons about scouting, but also about history. He’s taking advantage of the time he has with the boys, and he’s maximizing it. He’s made our experience with scouting so memorable — he’s just a great man. The troop loves him, and we cherish him.”

Rossi said that although her husband usually takes her sons on the trips, she did go to Washington with the troop once, and was impressed by how much they did. “He really packs it in there for the boys,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun and it’s busy, but they’re seeing so much and doing some much. He’s so passionate about it, and he plans every little meticulous detail. He really puts his all into it.”

Roland Reitz, whose sons became Eagle Scouts nearly a decade ago, said he still remembers the trips with the troop and Blaufeux fondly. “He always kept our days full,” Reitz recalled. “Those trips were amazing — absolutely amazing. And while walking, you were always keeping up with Woody. He’s an amazing character.”

Rossi said that the troop now has just over 30 boys. In her time there, she has seen many boys become Eagle Scouts, and many of them give Blaufeux a mentor pin — a significant thanks to anyone who’s helped them in their scouting careers.

And even at nearly 90, Blaufeux does much more than attend meetings.

“He also shows up if we do a fundraiser on the weekend, like a car wash or a street fair where we have a booth,” Rossi said. “He always participates. He’s always the first to donate. He’s really committed to making the troop successful.”

While Blaufeux is no longer the scoutmaster, he’s still considered an assistant, so he must maintain all of his qualifications with the Boy Scouts of America and register with the troop’s charter, Rossi added.

In honor of the troop’s anniversary — and especially Blaufeux’s decades of serving the boys — a celebration is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on April 23, at Kasey’s Kitchen and Cocktails in Rockville Centre. Cook said that current and past generations of scouts and leaders will be in attendance to honor the troop and its founder’s legacy.

“He’s just a great man,” Ciniglio said. “The memories I made with my son are amazing, because he’s so outgoing. He shows patience and kindness to everybody. The kids — they respect him, and they look up to him.”