The Hon. Frank J. Santagata Memorial Award was established in 1997 in memory of the late Hon. Frank J. Santagata, who served as Acting Village Justice of Westbury for 30 years from 1965 to 1995, and who was a past President of the Nassau County Magistrates Association in 1978-79. The Award is presented by the Nassau County Magistrates Association when appropriate to a Nassau County Magistrate Court Justice for exemplary ethics, professionalism and devotion to justice for all. The awardee, selected by the Nominating Committee and approved of the Board of Directors, is recognized for unique contributions to the advancement of one or more of the following criteria: i) efficient administration of justice, ii) fellowship and mutual support among judges and court personnel, iii) understanding and respect for legal institutions among the public, iv) dignity and civility in the treatment of court personnel and the public, v) equal justice under the law, vi) legal scholarship, vii) continuing legal and professional education, viii) judicial ethics, and ix) the vitality of the Nassau County Magistrates Association and the Nassau County Magistrates Court Clerks Association.
The Past Recipients of the Honorable Frank J. Santagata Award are:
2025- Hon. Kevin Kiley – Village of Williston Park
2024- Hon. William J. Croutier, Jr. – Village of Rockville Centre
2023- Hon. William J. McLaughlin -Village of Lynbrook
2022- Hon. Elizabeth A. Gutman -Village of Island Park
2021 Hon. Marilyn Genoa-Village of Old Brookville and Hon. James Tini (Village of Centre Island-posthumous)
2020 Hon. Perry Criscatelli- Village of South Floral Park
- 2019 Hon. Susan Katz Richman, Associate Village Justice, Village of Sea Cliff and Plandome Manor
- 2018 Hon. Richard Kestenbaum, Associate Justice, Great Neck Plaza and Kesington
- 2017 Hon. Susan Katz Richman, Associate Village Justice, Village of Sea Cliff and Plandome Manor
- 2016 Hon. Joseph J. Sperber, Village Justice – East Williston
- 2015 Hon. Lisa M. Confusione, Acting Village Justice – Malverne
- 2014 Hon. Steven G. Leventhal, Acting Village Justice – Lattingtown, Massapequa Park
- 2010 Hon. Alan J. Reardon, Village Justice – Williston Park
- 2009 Hon. Frank E. Yannelli, Village Justice – Rockville Centre
- 2008 Hon. Robert T. Bogle, Village Justice – Valley Stream
- 2007 Hon. Elizabeth D. Pessala, Acting Village Justice – Westbury
- 2006 Hon. John P. Reali, Village Justice – Sea Cliff
- 2005 Hon. Gino C. Papa, Village Justice – East Hills
- 2004 Hon. James W. Dougherty, Village Justice – Malverne
- 2003 Hon. Arthur L. Goldberg, Village Justice – East Hills
- 2002 Hon. Marie Santagata, Acting Village Justice – Westbury
- 2001 Hon. Donald J. White, Village Justice – Garden City
- 2000 Hon. Lawrence J. Goldstein, Village Justice – Hempstead
- 1999 Hon. William J. Corbett, Acting Village Justice – Floral Park
- 1998 Hon. Nathan Stern, Village Justice – Roslyn
- 1997 Hon. Irving Tenenbaum, Village Justice – Great Neck Plaza