PARK RIDGE, N.J., April 23 -- He liked to take long walks and eat at Valentino's. Always stopping to chat, dispense advice or give out an autograph, he particularly doted on neighborhood children.
That's what neighbors of late U.S. President Richard M. Nixon remembered about the most famous resident of Park Ridge, N.J. On Saturday afternoon, everyone in the small community 30 miles north of Manhattan seemed willing to talk about Nixon, who had died the night before, four days after a stroke.
Kelly Freeman, 23, recalled interviewing the 37th president for a high-school book report. Her mother was a waitress at Valentino's and approached Nixon with the proposal.
'It was kind of neat because he was very friendly and talkative. He seemed like he really cared. The whole thing was he took the time to let me come up and see him,' said Freeman.
Her only regret was that Nixon's aides refused to let her ask the president about Watergate, the scandal that led to his resignation under threat of impeachment.
But it was a day she'll never forget, Freeman said, adding, 'I got an 'A' on the report before I even turned it in. My history teacher loved Nixon.'
What many Park Ridge residents remember about Nixon is his willingness to stand outside his home on Halloween, hand out sweets and pose for pictures.
Jeffrey Shapper, 8, went by the upscale Bear's Nest condominium development last Halloween and found Nixon was inside because he wasn't feeling well. But a few minutes later, the ex-president came back out.
'I think he was a pretty good guy,' said Jeffrey. 'He said 'Happy Halloween,' and I got my autograph with him, and I thought it was pretty fun.'
Jeffrey's mother, Jeryl, was surprised by the warm welcome. 'He just seemed like such a regular person. He was so sweet with the kids. I guess I expected him to be a little more removed.'
Park Ridge Police Officer Edward Visich was there last Halloween, as well.
'I was impressed because he was doing something he didn't have to do,' he said. 'He led a private life; however, he did enjoy the public.'
Florist Hasmig Mekjian said she never spoke with Nixon personally, but his staff always called with orders for flowers on his wife Pat Nixon's birthday or when she was sick.
Pat Nixon, who died of cancer last June, loved orchids and yellow roses, she said.
Longtime Park Ridge resident Claire Lyons said Nixon's presence added a little panache.
'He was a president and having him so close to us made us kind of important,' she said.
On Saturday, a sign hung near the entrance to the city. It read: 'Park Ridge mourns the loss of a resident -- Richard M. Nixon.'NEWLN: (Edited by Tracy Connor in New York)
