Joe Gage wanted a quiet birthday. On the day he turned 87, he was to be honored by a small group of local businessmen for his contributions to Flushing’s economy as a member of its Board of Commerce, for his voice on the Village Council and for his unwavering support of its community at-large. As word got out, however, what was meant to be a small ceremony became one of the biggest community dinners, drawing the largest crowd to Flushing in its young history. The event was attended by over 1,300 people who all came to pay their respects to Flushing’s top man of integrity and high-esteem. Gage was moved, saying “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve all this. I don’t think I deserve it. I’ve lived a long and happy life, especially the part I’ve lived in Flushing.”