An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Herbert Wallis, 63, former detective
BY SID CASSESE
Newsday Staff Writer

January 4, 2007

U.S. Navy veteran Herbert Wallis, a former Nassau County detective and insurance company special investigator, died Monday at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow after suffering a heart attack. He was 63 and a longtime resident of Bellmore.

"It was totally unexpected. There was no warning," said his son, Kevin Wallis of Tenafly, N.J. He said his father had begun to work for him only eight months ago and "we were all so happy."





"Dad left Progressive Insurance in Lynbrook last year after 13 years to work with me at Vanguard Healthcare Management," in Rutherford, N.J., said the son, who heads the company. "He was my director of risk management and chief safety officer. I loved working with him, and he enjoyed working with me. We have about 300 employees, and everybody there who knew him loved him."

Brian Cook, a Progressive investigator who worked with Wallis out of the company's Lynbrook office for nine years, said the ex-detective was one of the most knowledgeable investigators in the industry, "and he was always willing to share his knowledge with those he worked with."

Jim Wheeler, Wallis' manager at Progressive, said that as a major case investigator he probed organized insurance fraud rings. "He was well respected in the insurance and law enforcement communities, and loved at Progressive," Wheeler said.

Robert Grau of Bay Shore, also a retired Nassau detective, said he had worked with Wallis on many cases over the years. "He was a good cop and a number one standup guy," he said.

Wallis graduated from Calhoun High School in Bellmore in 1961, after which he joined the Navy, where he was a pipefitter. He served on the destroyer tender U.S.S. Grand Canyon and was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis' south Atlantic blockade of Soviet ships to the island. He was honorably discharged in 1965.

He joined the Nassau County Police Department in 1967 and attended Nassau Community College, from which he later graduated. He made detective in 1974 and worked out of the First and Seventh squads. He retired from the department in 1987.

"He was an old-fashioned guy: tough, honest and ready to do anything for his family. He was my best friend," said his daughter Stacey Keifer of Bellmore.

Wallis was active with the AmVets Post 88 in Massapequa, and he loved to fish. "Any kind. He'd fish in a puddle if he could. And he was into being a grandfather," said his son, Kevin.

Other survivors include his wife of 40 years, Judith Ann; another daughter, Joanna Laverty of Bellmore; three brothers, Donald of Belleville, Ohio, and Richard and Robert, both of Bellmore; two sisters, Janet Devoe of Penn Yan, N.Y. and Nancy Abraham of Perrysburg, Ohio, and three grandchildren.

A wake will be observed from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. today at the Bellmore Funeral Home in Bellmore.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 9:45 a.m. at St. Barnabas the Apostle Catholic Church in Bellmore. Burial will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.


http://www.newsday.com/news/obituaries/ny-liwall045039205jan04,0,6836485.story

Message edited 1/4/2007 9:20:07 AM.

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

What a wonderful tribute to your uncle!



Did your Aunt see it? If she did, how did she handle it??

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

WOW!! this was very nice!!! one thing though... i think my fater worked with him... my father was a nassau cop also in the 7th and the 5th.... i pray you and your family

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

that is a wonderful article

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

christine's aunt's funeral was at st. barnabas - very nice church

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

That is a beautiful article tributing your uncles life

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Juney

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Beautiful article....

Hugs to you Juney and your family during this difficult time

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

I feel it was so good and described him so well. He was so tough but would NEVER let you see him get upset. My cousin who is not taking it well Stacey told me about the article through her tears and said her quote was "he was my best friend" and he really was he protected her so much!




My aunt said she didn't want it but my Cousin Kevin said it was something he really wanted to do and thught he deserved.

Don all my cousins and another Cousin will be getting married at st. barnabas. We all use to goto Midnight mass there

Message edited 1/4/2007 9:30:48 AM.

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

What a nice article for your uncle. Sorry for loss

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Oh Krisitin again I am so sorry. He sounds like a wonderful person with a very loving family.

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Posted by karacg

Oh Krisitin again I am so sorry. He sounds like a wonderful person with a very loving family.

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

An amazing article about an amazing person. May he rest in eternal peace.

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

very nice tribute!

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Beautiful article. Again, I am very sorry for your loss. I will continue praying for you and your family

Message edited 1/4/2007 9:55:39 AM.

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

that was a beautiful article , Juney..
I hope your family is doing as best as they can be (and you too!)

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

A beautifully written article...sounds like he was a wonderful, well respected man. You and your family are always in my thoughts and

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

Very nice article, my condolences to you and your family

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday

What a beautiful tribute - again I am sorry for you and your family

Re: An article about my uncle in todays newsday