Endless Waves… Remembrances of Sayville Alumni. John William “Shorty” Sunderland, Class of 1957.

A Tribute to John “Shortly” Sunderland

1/13/1939 – 3/26/1996

Shorty was my Boy Scout Scoutmaster for Troop 16.

He was not only a huge mentor, he was a pillar of the community.

The photo of Troop 16 was taken prior to marching in the Memorial Day Parade May 30, 1966.

Shorty is at top right.

Some names of those in the Troop 16 photo.

Top

Dr. Batterman, ?, Hank Pagles, ?, Bill Pagels, ?, Hank Mcclellan, Wayne Batterman, Art Straub, John Cleves, Mr. Straub, Mr. Hielsburgh, Shorty.

Middle

Bill Vetter, Scott Krieger, ?, Peter Steenland, Craig Strong, Keith Strong, Dave Lominska, Hal Brown, ?, Cliff Quibel, Matijasick, Tony Romanowsky.

Front

John Straub, Bill Lembeck, Rick Horn, Chris Horn, Wayne Ford, Terry Simonian, Clyde Van Emmerick, Mike McClellen, Joe McClellen, ?, Doug Hielsburgh.

Photography By Albert Popely Jr.
90 Saxton Avenue, Sayville, N. Y.
May 1966, Troop 16, Sayville, N. Y.

A Sayville snapshot.

I want to take this opportunity to remember a person who in ways set my life path and maybe had an impact on yours.

An excerpt from Shorty’s Suffolk Country News obituary.

“Born in Jamaica, he had been a lifelong resident of Sayville.

He had worked for many years as a caterer at Sunland On The Bay in Blue Point and Bellport, and later as a salesman for American LaFrance fire trucks. He was a former member of Kiwanis Club of Sayville and Blue Point Lions Club; former scoutmaster of Troop 16, Boy Scouts of America; was a 40 year member of Sayville Fire Department; and was honorary member of both Blue Point and West Sayville Fire Departments.”

Scoutmaster was one role I can associate with while a number of you will have been touched by Shorty in other ways.

Maybe it was attending an event at Sunland by The Bay, mine being SHS team post season dinners there.

I’d like to reference a few Scouting memories noting that Troop 16 met Wednesdays at Saint Ann’s.

During this time there were two fellow local scoutmasters. The combined leadership of these fine men inspired many Sayville area youth.

Shorty – Troop 16
Walt Tucker – Troop 100
Art Meves – Troop 212

Polar Bear Hikes

The hikes were held in January, with skill testing stations along the way, and ended at Camp Wilderness in Yaphank. Carrying our gear, we camped the night.

It was sometimes challenging winter camping in those mid island woods – always cold and sometimes with snow. The shared experience forged bonds.

Summer Camp – Long Eddy, NY

Shorty planned, organized and ran a ‘roughed in’ summer camp just west of Long Eddy, NY. Troops spent a week along the Delaware River in camps we established in the woods. Aquatic activities, nature study and hikes fulfilled outdoor experiences.

I believe memories of these Long Eddy summer camps are Shorty’s legacy in the minds of those who were there in 1966 and 1967.

I have an image in my mind of the sun setting behind rolling Catskill/Pocono mountains while sitting on a rocky cliff high above the meandering Delaware River, after hiking to the spot for overnight camp.

Shorty was one heck of a resourceful leader and I reflect back fondly to those times during the mid 1960’s to early 1970’s.

He is resting in Saint Ann’s columbarium niche wall near the marsh. Prior to the cemetery’s expansion, there were Troop capture the flag games carried out on this field. A fitting final resting place I think.

Following collage I was a Forester in the Santa Cruz Mountains and also worked two seasonal positions with the US Forest Service. Backcountry Trail Maintenance – Ventana Wilderness – Carmel River Station – Carmel Valley, CA and Campground Manager – Plaskett Creek Campground / Sand Dollar Beach – Pacific Valley Station – Big Sur.

I think of Shorty when I remember my forestry days.

Thank You John “Shorty” Sunderland!

Chris Horn ‘73