I think it is fair to say that there is no automatic notification system by which our alumni association is notified of deaths or other events.

We learn of these events through family and friends who reach out to us.

We learn of these events through the diligence of wonderful folks who pay attention to the world around them. I am very thankful for Judi (Hone) McHugh, Martin Keane and many others who carefully monitor websites, newspapers, social media, and so forth, keeping watch for notifications, memorials and other events.

As part of our commitment to keeping you informed, we also have fantastic historians such as Erick Baumeister, Tom McMahon, Janet (Donadio) Cozza,  Virginia “Ginger” (Fox) Farrell and others, working on our team, who uncover events that often occur outside of Sayville and the surrounding area, and often in previous eras.

Here are three recent deaths of alumni that we were unaware of until either you notified us, or, our historians uncovered them in August 2023.

It is here where we remember and honor those who have passed away.

SHS Class of 1952: Barbara May (Herring) Meierdierks

Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/258156736/barbara-may-meierdierks

Birthdate: January 2, 1934 Islip

Parents: William Harold “Lewis” and Edith May Huntting

Siblings:

Marriage: Kenneth Meierdierks (SHS’48) 1954

Death: 27 Jul 2023 Atlantic Beach, FL

Obituary: https://obituaries.nationalcremation.com/obituaries/jacksonville-fl/barbara-meierdierks-11386717

SHS Class of 1954: Virginia Mary (McCarthy) Cernosky

Birthdate: 11 Apr 1936, Manhattan, New York County, New York, USA

Death; 9 Jul 2023 (aged 87)

Burial; Calverton National Cemetery

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/256591858/virginia-mary-cernosky

SHS Class of 1952: Allen George “Bones” Behounek
Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/254878702/allen-g-behounek
Birthdate: 27 Jan 1935 Islip
Parents: George, Viola Rattiger
Marriage: Gladys DePinter (SHS ’53) 1956

https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn84031477/1956-04-06/ed-1/seq-6
Death: 2 Jun 2023 Punta Gorda, FL