Dave Harper, retired Northport High School social studies teacher, died in his sleep on September 4 at the age of 79. He was born on December 7, 1941, and taught at Northport Junior High before moving to the high school. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Roberta, daughter Jennifer Ann, sons David and Nicholas and granddaughter Emily.

Besides teaching social studies, Dave was an all-around coach, coaching wrestling, track and football. His greatest joy was coaching the Northport Junior High School football team for 25 years. After retirement Dave continued working in Northport for another 13 years as a substitute teacher.

The family will greet visitors at the M. A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Avenue, Huntington Station on from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 8.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at Saint Elizabeth’s of Hungary Church, 181 Wolf Hill Road, Melville at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 9.

In lieu of flowers, Dave’s family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

R-UTN members who would like to share a remembrance of Dave, please send them to [email protected] for posting in the Member Memorial page of our website.