Charlotte Koons, retired elementary teacher, passed away on March 16 at Hospice House in East Northport at the age of 87. Charlotte taught in Northport for 43 years, both at Norwood Avenue and in the gifted program at Fifth Avenue. She was predeceased by her husband Chester Koons, know affectionally as Silverbear, the name that appeared on her New York State vanity license plate after his death.

Charlotte was a lifelong educator, activist and arts advocate, know and loved by many in the greater Huntington area. In the 1960’s she and her husband helped form the Suffolk Country New York Civil Liberties Union. Her activism continued in her later years; she was a founding member of Huntington NOW, CODEPINK LI, and Women for Peace. In 2018 she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award as co-founder of the Suffolk Chapter of New York Civil Liberties Union.

Charlotte was also a poet who spent seventeen years on the board of the Northport Arts Coalitions. She was a longtime supporter and board member of the Huntington Arts Cinema Centre, and for the last ten years she was an active member of the Bear Bones Theater Company in Northport and the Northport One-Act Play Festival.

The family has requested memorial donations be made in Charlotte’s name to the Visiting Nurse/Hospice House, Huntington Cinema Arts Centre, the Suffolk Country Chapter of the CLU or to any of the other organizations she supported.

R-UTN members with memories of Charlotte they wish to share can email [email protected]. Please keep your commemorative brief and include your name and former school.

Two weeks ago we invited members to let us know about what they have been doing for the next issue of our newsletter, and to share on the website. Jerry Brandnick not only wanted to share with our members, but he’d also love to hear from you. His email can be found in our Online Member Directory. The Directory is password protected – if you need the password please send an email, with including your full name, to [email protected].

I’m about to turn 90 but feel like I’m 70.  Have great memories about some of the great staff I had at Larkfield and 5th. Ave.  Many students and staff have contacted me over the years.  Lost my great wife Dorothy five years ago. She loved her years in the Time Out Room at NHS. Of the fine staff I hired, perhaps Chris Pendergast was one of the best.  We were close friends until his recent passing.  I support the UTN-R scholarship program each year.  Still play golf 2-3 times per week.  

Jerry Bradnick

Update to Eve Paley-Terry obituary – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Philip Neri, Northport, on Saturday, October 30th at 11AM with internment immediately following at St. Philip Neri Cemetery.

Eve, a retired Northport Junior High School home economics teacher, died suddenly of a heart attack Monday September 6th. In later years she lived in Rockin, California and is survived by her brother Michael Paley, sister-in-law Katrina and a niece and nephew.

Eve was very involved with theater, and at Northport High School taught Theatreworks and Troupe students about costumes, props and set design. She was involved with over sixty productions, including Powdered Wig productions of My Fair Lady, Brigadoon and Mame to name a few. She worked with then students Edie Falco and David Troupe.

Eve dedicated her life to sharing her strength and sobriety for over 20 years.

Her family plans a memorial service in California in November.

Bill McCoy, husband of Terry McCoy, retired Northport High school science teacher, passed away on September 28. In addition to Terry, Bill McCoy is survived by four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Northport, and information will be shared as it becomes available.

Two years ago Terry and Bill sold their East Northport home of 61 years and relocated to Florida to be closer to family. Condolences cn be sent to Terry at 419 Bouchelle Dr., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169.

Bill was an avid hiker and shared the love of the outdoors with his family. Donations in his memory can be made to the Matthew Potel Foundation. This foundation helps urban youth experience nature by providing scholarships to outdoor camps and nature programs.