by Fred Hudson

Steve Dunkel, 60, the former paddock judge of both Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceway, died Aug. 8, 2014.

He had not responded to anyone since Friday. His family became concerned and on Monday (Aug. 11) with the assistance of the Nassau County Police they went into his house and found him peacefully on his couch.

In 1975 Mr. Dunkel started his career as the assistant paddock judge and in the early 1980s he was promoted to paddock judge, eplacing Jack Carlino.

Recently Mr. Dunkel attended the Roosevelt Raceway Legacy Night at the Meadowlands and he also attended the opening of the Roosevelt Raceway exhibit in Goshen, N.Y.

Outside of harness racing he was involved in the music industry and was one of the founders of the Long Island Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He at one time worked for George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees organization.

He was also very active in politics and on one occasion he was assigned as the official escort to then President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary.

He was the father of seven children and two grandchildren.

The funeral service will take place on Thursday (Aug. 14) from 12–1 p.m. at the Jewish Memorial Chapel of Long Island, 46 Greenwich Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Burial to follow at 1:15 p.m. at Mount Ararat Cemetery, Route 109, Farmingdale, NY.

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