Sad News

Peggy Rumore, retired Ocean Avenue teacher, passed away on Sunday, June 27 at the age of 80. Peggy was pre-deceased by her husband Salvatore and her sister Ellen. She is survived by her children Kerry Jean and George, five grandchildren, her sister Marie Zabielski and brother Joseph Gremelsbacker.

 Peggy was a dedicated and caring teacher at Ocean Avenue School and she will be is fondly remembered as a  kind and gentle educator who was beloved by her students and their parents. 

Reposing Nolan Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Ave, Northport, Tuesday, 2-5 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Mass Wednesday, 10 AM, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Centerport. Interment Northport Rural Cemetery.

Donations in Peggy’s memory to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church Parish Outreach, 53 Prospect Road, Centerport, NY 11721 appreciated.

Sad News

Donald Barron passed away in Lenox, Massachusettes at the age of 91 from COPD, a degenerative pulmonary disease. Don served a principal of Pulaski Road School and as a Northport High School special education teacher. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, children Nancy, Ruth and Steven, and two granddaughters. In addition to living in Lenox, Donal and his wife spent the winters in Delray Beach, Florida.

Before settling in Massachusetts and Florida, Don and Barbara embarked on a three year adventure, living full-time in a motor home, traveling back and forth across the U.S.A and visiting almost every state and parts of Canada. Don was a serious musician, play the oboe since his student days at Stuyvesant High School. In retirement he played community bands in Massachusettes and Florida, and he mentored young oboist in the International Orchestra of South Florida. Another hobby in retirement was genealogy, leaning about his family’s history

He requested no gift of flowers for his funeral, and requested donations in his name to the charity of the donor’s choice. He also left the request that everyone continue to vote in all elections to keep our democracy strong.

Sad News

Joan Banks, long-time secretary at Middleville, passed on June 6 at the age of 85. Joan was predeceased by her husband Bernie, and is survived by her sons Brian, Timothy and Christopher, and five grandchildren.

Visitation was at Nolan Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Ave., Northport, on Wednesday 2-5 PM and 7-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday 11 AM, at St. Philip Neri Church in Northport.  Burial to follow at parish cemetery. 

Donations in Joan’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. 

Sad News

Joseph Cannata, retired elementary teacher, passed away in on May 23 at the age of 93. Joe began his 22 year Northport career in 1963, starting out at Larkfield Elementary School teaching 4th and 6th grade, moving to Bellerose Avenue in 1967, where he continued teaching 4th grade through his retirement in 1985. Before coming to Northport he taught in Lynbrook, New York and Wilton, Connecticut. 

Joe loved science, and especially the space program. In 1968 he developed, organized and found funding for a two-week long summer aerospace program for students to learn about America’s involvement in air and space. He coordinated guest lecturers and field trips to some of Long Island’s most important aerospace facilities.  The highlight was a trip to Grumman Aerospace in Bethpage, NY where his students saw through glass windows the assembly of the Lunar Module “Eagle” which went on to bring the first humans to the moon.

He is remembered fondly by his grandchildren and grandnieces, one of whom said of her uncle, “… when he spoke with you, he made you know that he was genuinely glad to see you and valued your presence. He had a way of affirming your own observations, which allowed for quite a memorable exchange.

A funeral mass was held on May 27, followed by burial at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale.

Sad News

Hank Kasven, retired middle school teacher, passed away on May 26 after long illness. Hank served on the R-UTN Executive Board and as a UTN building rep for many years. He taught at several elemetary schools, Northport Junior High School, and later at Northport Middle School. Hank is survived by his wife, Jacki, and daughters Sarah and Nicole.

He was a force to be reckoned with and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. A private family funeral will be held on Friday, May 28. Jacki and family will be sitting Shiva at home on Monday, May 31 and Tuesday, June 1.

Condolences may be sent to Jacki Kasven at
23 Westminster Road Syosset NY 11791
Donations may be made in Hank’s name to the Northport Student Scholarship fund or to Island Harvest.