According to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 24, with the leading causes being reckless driving and distracted driving while, often, under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Since Memorial Day weekend, drunk/drugged driving in Suffolk has claimed approximately three lives a week, and since 2018, the trend of drugged driving deaths has grown exponentially — 35% — statewide.
Suffolk County is a prime contributor to that number.
Maureen McCormick, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Vehicular Crimes prosecutor, recently said that the innocence of most of these vehicular crime victims is what is truly alarming about these cases.
And, with the state’s push to treat individuals intoxicated with drugs as firmly as those found drunk at the scene of a crash — as of now, a drugged driver in the state can only be charged with a DUI if the officer can name the drug the person has taken, and if said drug is included in a catalog of substances commonly tested for — why has a coalition of advocates been getting turned down in Albany for many years? And, why is America one of a quarter of countries that has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08, while the rest of the world only allows a limit of 0.05?
So, what can we do about the dangers of drunk/drugged driving? Here are some tips to stay safe on the roads.
• When going out, be sure to secure a nondrinking driver, ahead of time, to ensure a plan, and avoid in-the-moment confusion.
• Alternate drinking alcoholic beverages with soda, juice or water.
• Do not mix alcohol with other drugs, including over-the-counter and prescription medications.
• Do not get into the car with an impaired driver. Use other means of transportation such as a taxi, public transportation or driver who is sober.
• It is wise to have no substances in your system when operating a vehicle, even if you are within legal limits.
• Keep in mind: Even if you take prescription medication, avoid driving if it makes you drowsy, or lowers your energy levels. A substance does not have to be illicit to cause danger to yourself and others on the roads. Have someone drive you, when possible.
• Buckle up! If hit, a seatbelt reduces the risk of serious injury by 50% in the front seats, and up to 75%, in the rear seats.
• If you suspect an impaired driver is near you while on the road, slow down and consider turning away. When it is safe to do so, pull over and dial 911.
In this way, we will keep ourselves and our roads safe in Suffolk County and elsewhere.
After the removal of former head coach Chuck Priore in Nov. 2023, the Stony Brook football team has found his replacement in hopes that brighter days are ahead.
Finishing the 2023 season with an 0-10 record — the worst in program history — was not the way the Seawolves hoped to bounce back from 2022 that ended with a 2-9 finish. Just under a month after removing Priore, Stony Brook hired former Western Michigan University offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Billy Cosh to fill the role.
Cosh, 32, a resident of Smithtown, started his coaching career at Concord University in 2015, soon getting the position as a graduate assistant and quarterbacks coach for Indiana from 2016 to 2017. Cosh made the move to the Virginia Military Institute in 2018, serving as the wide receivers coach in 2018 and 2019, then getting promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Cosh jumped to Richmond in 2022 where he led a top 20 offensive SP+ rating, advancing to the second round of the FCS playoffs in his lone season. After serving as offensive coordinator at Western Michigan for the 2023 season, Cosh was named the third head football coach in Stony Brook history. At 31 years old, he became the second-youngest current head coach in NCAA Division I football.
Coaching at Richmond in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) — the same conference as the Seawolves — Cosh said he has “always admired Stony Brook from afar.” In his first head coaching position, Cosh will look to pull the Seawolves out of the cellar.
“I knew this place has a chance,” Cosh said. “I knew they had the capability, so that’s kind of what attracted me to the job.”
Football is in Cosh’s blood. Bouncing around from place to place during his upbringing, he is the son of Chris Cosh who played linebacker for Virginia Tech from 1977 to 1981. Chris coached for 40 years at multiple FCS schools such as UNLV, Maryland, Michigan State, South Carolina and many more. He currently serves as an analyst at Western Michigan.
Billy Cosh (right) set to coach Seawolves football for the 2024 season. Courtesy Stony Brook Athletics
“I thought my dad had the coolest job in the world,” Cosh said. “I was like a sponge; I was around the game all the time. I got to see different players that played in the NFL and watched how they work and watched how coaches coached, it was really unique.”
Cosh was raised with his brother, James, who went on to play football at the United States Naval Academy from 2007 to 2011. James is currently a scout for the Chicago Bears in the NFL.
Being brought up around football, Cosh was destined to be a star on the field. Attending Arundel High School in Gambrills, Md. from 2006 to 2009, Cosh won the job of starting quarterback his junior year. He went on to break seven state records that season including most passing yards (3,909) and touchdowns (56), but it paled in comparison to his senior season.
Cosh’s senior year was special, throwing for 3,913 yards and 56 touchdowns. He set Maryland state records for career completions (594), passing yards (7,433) and touchdowns (112), finishing his high school career with a 22-3 record and leaving college coaches clamoring to have him on their team.
Though Cosh’s achievements on the field spoke for themselves, he credits playing with future NFL wide receivers RJ Harris and Alec Lemon for much of his success at Arundel.
“That kind of made a big difference,” Cosh said. “I wasn’t a great player, but I was very appreciative of the guys around me.”
When the college recruitment process came around, the choice was rather simple for Cosh. At the time, his father was the defensive coordinator at Kansas State University. A chance to play at a Big 12 school and have his father guide the way was too good for Cosh to pass on, deciding to play college football as a Wildcat.
Unfortunately, when things seem too good to be true, they often are. Cosh’s coaches opted to give him a freshman redshirt his first season at Kansas State, meaning he would be sidelined and not see action the entire season.
Looking ahead to his sophomore season, Cosh realized there may not be an opportunity for him to play anytime soon. With three quarterbacks on the roster that were returning the following season, all of them were ahead of him on the depth chart. He was paid a visit by James Madison University’s head coach Mickey Matthews who told Cosh he would have a better opportunity playing for him, so Cosh made the move.
Transferring to James Madison for his sophomore year hoping that he would have the chance to play, Cosh’s wishes were not answered. Again, Cosh was at the bottom of the depth chart and did not see action the entire season, later claiming that the move from Kansas State was one that he regretted.
“I really made a rash decision to leave, Coach [Bill] Snyder told me I would regret it, and he was right in some ways,” Cosh said. “I went [to James Madison] and was kind of told I wasn’t good enough, which was probably true, I wasn’t the greatest player, but I was never really given a shot.”
Cosh realized that he would have to step down a level if he wanted to get any real playing time, opting to transfer again, this time to Butler Community College in the NJCAA. Making the move in hopes to impress scouts and get back to the Division I level, Cosh did just that.
Stony Brook football is set to open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at Marshall University in West Virginia. Courtesy Stony Brook Athletics
Stepping down a level gave Cosh the opportunity to see the field, but the talent pool in the NJCAA was very deep. He played with “12 to 15” future NFL players and against current All-Pro players such as Tyreek Hill, Alvin Kamara and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Cosh’s lone junior college season was described as a “rebirth” for him by Butler head coach Troy Morrell. He turned heads by throwing for 2,856 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2012, but he would soon face another obstacle. Cosh tore his ACL in the NJCAA junior college championship game and lost to Iowa Western, 27-7.
Despite the sour ending, Cosh reflects on his time at Butler fondly.
“I loved that time,” Cosh said. “I loved my teammates. I loved the coaching staff … so that was awesome.”
Despite the injury, Cosh had impressed college scouts enough to receive some offers. He committed to the University of Houston before the conclusion of the 2012 season, successfully making his way back to the NCAA Division I level.
However, Cosh soon faced another roadblock. His commitment to Houston came before the injury to his knee, something that he thought would lead the team to pulling his scholarship. To Cosh’s surprise, the Cougars chose to keep him around.
Still rehabbing his ACL tear, Cosh missed the entire 2013 season due to injury. He made his debut in 2014, and though he only saw the field three times at Houston, he was able to end his college career on his terms, not others’.
Though Cosh’s time at Houston was underwhelming on the field, it was where he met his wife, Kelsey.
Being around the game of football his entire life, Cosh has faced plenty of adversity throughout his career. Due to these challenges, it makes sense that Stony Brook Athletic Director Shawn Heilbron believes that Cosh is the man for the job to bring the Seawolves back to relevance.
Kenny Spurrell is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Sauces and breads are among the sneakiest offenders
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
If you have high blood pressure, you’ve probably been told to reduce your sodium. But what about the rest of us?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90 percent of Americans consume too much sodium. This puts our health at risk — and not just for high blood pressure (1).
What are the effects of too much sodium?
In addition to increasing our risk of high blood pressure (hypertension), with consequences like stroke and heart disease, sodium can affect our kidney function, even without high blood pressure.
The Nurses’ Health Study evaluated kidney function in approximately 3,200 women, assessing estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as related to sodium intake (2). Over 14 years, those with a daily sodium intake of 2,300 mg had a much greater chance of a 30 percent or more reduction in kidney function when compared to those who consumed 1,700 mg per day.
Kidneys are an important part of our systems for removing toxins and waste. They are also where many hypertension medications work, including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and diuretics (water pills). If kidney function declines, it can be harder to treat high blood pressure. Worse, it could lead to chronic kidney disease and dialysis. Once someone has reached dialysis, most blood pressure medications are not very effective.
What are sodium recommendations?
Interestingly, the current recommended maximum sodium intake is 2,300 mg per day, or one teaspoon. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably noticed that’s the same level that led to negative effects in the study. However, Americans’ average intake is 3,400 mg a day (1).
If we reduced our consumption by even a modest 20 percent, we could reduce the incidence of heart disease dramatically. Current recommendations from the FDA and the American Heart Association indicate an upper limit of 2,300 mg per day (3, 4). The American Heart Association goes further, suggestion an “ideal” limit of no more than 1,500 mg per day (3).
What are the biggest sodium sources?
More than 70 percent of our sodium intake comes from processed and packaged foods and from restaurants, not the saltshaker. There is nothing wrong with eating out or ordering in on occasion, but you can’t control how much salt goes into your food. Even when you request “no salt,” many items are pre-seasoned, and sauces can contain excessive amounts of sodium.
One approach to reduce your sodium intake is to choose products that have 200 mg or fewer per serving indicated on the label. Foods labeled “low sodium” have fewer than 140 mg of sodium. This is not the same as foods labeled “reduced sodium.” These have 25 percent less than the full-sodium version, which doesn’t mean much. For example, soy sauce has about 1,000 mg of sodium per tablespoon, but low-sodium soy sauce still has about 600 mg per tablespoon.
Salad dressings, sauces and other condiments, where serving sizes are small, add up quickly. Mustard has about 120 mg per teaspoon. Most of us use more than one teaspoon. Make sure to read the labels on all packaged foods and sauces very carefully, checking for sodium and for serving size. In restaurants, ask for sauces on the side and use them sparingly, if at all.
Bread products are another hidden source. Most contain a decent amount of sodium. I have seen a single slice of whole wheat bread include up to 200 mg. of sodium. That’s one slice. Make a sandwich with four ounces of lower sodium deli meat and mustard, and you could easily consume 1240 mg in a single sandwich.
Soups and canned goods are notoriously high in sodium. There are a few on the market that have no sodium. Look for these and add your own seasonings. Restaurant soups are a definite “no.”
Become an avid label reader. Sodium hides in all kinds of foods that don’t necessarily taste salty, such as cheeses, sweet sauces and salad dressings. Put all sauces and dressings on the side, so you can control how much — if any — you choose to use.
Is sea salt better than table salt?
Are sea salts better for you than table salt? Not really. They can have a slightly lower level of sodium, but that’s because their crystal shape means fewer granules fit in a teaspoon. I recommend not using either. In addition to causing health issues, salt dampens your taste buds, masking other flavors.
As you reduce your sodium intake, you might be surprised at how quickly your taste buds adjust. In just a few weeks, foods you previously thought didn’t taste salty will seem overwhelmingly so, and you will notice new flavors in unsalted foods.
When seasoning your food at home, use salt-free seasonings, like Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute or, if you prefer a salty taste, consider a salt substitute, like Benson’s Table Tasty.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
Homemade bruschetta comes together in no time if you have the key ingredients — high quality balsamic vinegar, sun-ripened tomatoes, and fresh basil.
Take this delicious appetizer one step further by turning it into adelicious and hearty meal with a bruschetta chicken bake.
Fresh Tomato Bruschetta
Fresh Tomato Bruschetta
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound tomatoes, diced
1⁄2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, minced
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper
16 slices Italian bread
DIRECTIONS:
Combine fresh tomatoes, basil, 3 tablespoons oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; mix well. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour to blend flavors. Preheat oven to 375 F. Place bread on baking sheet. Brush remaining oil over one side of each bread slice. Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until toasted. Top with tomato mixture.
Fresh Tomato Bruschetta Chicken
Fresh Tomato Bruschetta Chicken
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil, plus additional, for garnish
Preheat oven to 400 F. In small bowl, whisk olive oil, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and oregano until combined. Combine 2 tablespoons oil mixture and chicken in resealable plastic bag. Let stand 5-10 minutes at room temperature to marinate.
In medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil mixture over medium heat. Add onions; cook 3-4 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Stir in marinara sauce. Pour mixture into lightly greased 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Arrange chicken breasts in dish, overlapping if necessary. Top with grape tomatoes and cherry tomato stems. Spoon remaining oil mixture over tomatoes.
Bake, covered, 25 minutes, or until chicken is done (165 F) and tomatoes start to burst. Sprinkle with Parmesan, drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office
Oliver Schor and Christopher Fernandez Allegedly Shot and Killed Michael Hartmann
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Aug. 9 that Oliver Schor, 22, and Christopher Fernandez, 28, both of Sound Beach, were indicted for Murder in the Second Degree, and related charges, for allegedly fatally shooting Michael Hartmann, 49, at his Bohemia home.
“This case involves the heartbreaking loss of Michael Hartmann, a husband, father and beloved family man, who was brutally killed at his own home,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We are committed to seeking justice for him. Our condolences go out to the Hartmann family during this difficult time.”
According to the investigation, on November 2, 2022, Fernandez and Schor allegedly descended upon the victim’s home in Bohemia armed with rifles. The defendants were about to enter the residence through the rear back door when they encountered the victim. Schor allegedly opened fire and killed the victim before both defendants fled the area in Schor’s mother’s car. Based upon law enforcement’s subsequent investigation, it is believed that this is a case of mistaken identity.
Fernandez also allegedly robbed a gas station employee at an Exxon Mobil Gas Station in Manorville shortly before the murder.
Schor was indicted for the following charges:
One count of Murder in the First Degree, a Class A felony;
Two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, Class A felonies;
One count of Attempted Burglary in the First Degree, a Class B felony;
One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;and
One count of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree, a Class C felony.Fernandez was indicted for the following charges:
One count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony;
One count of Attempted Burglary in the First Degree, a Class B felony;
One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
One count of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree, a Class C felony; and
One count of Robbery in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.On August 9, 2024, both defendants were arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. Justice Pilewski ordered both defendants be remanded during the pendency of the case.
Schor is due back in court on September 16, 2024, and faces life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Jason Bassett, Esq.
Fernandez is due back in court on September 11, 2024, and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Christopher Cassar, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank Schroeder of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Scott Romano of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Frankie Sierra of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.
Suffolk County Police arrested a former soccer coach on Aug. 9 for sending sexually explicit messages to a female teenager in April.
The victim’s mother called 911 on August 5 to report her 13-year-old daughter had been sent sexually explicit messages from a soccer coach who previously worked for the Dix Hills Soccer Club. An investigation by Second Precinct Crime Section officers and detectives determined Kyle Justin Bradbury sent inappropriate messages to the minor in April.
Bradbury, 27, of Long Beach, was arrested and charged with Attempted Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, Criminal Solicitation in the Third Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He is being held overnight and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on August 10.
Detectives are asking anyone with additional information or if you believe you are a victim to call the Second Squad at 631-854-8252.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (right.) File photo
By Toni-Elena Gallo
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) held a Zoom press conference with local media publications Friday, July 26.
Romaine’s opening remarks emphasized the importance of local media, and his desire to give the press an opportunity to “write the stories you need to write.”
He then briefly discussed some of his seven-month tenure’s accomplishments, including the approval of the Water Quality Restoration Act that aims to rectify Suffolk’s sewer systems subject to a referendum on Election Day, Nov. 5.
Romaine is looking to put sewer infrastructure “on steroids,” as 70% of the county utilizes pollutant-rich cesspools.” His plan is to put “densely populated areas of Suffolk, whenever possible, on sewers,” and the less densely-populated areas on Innovative/Alternative septic systems that will denature the ground and surface water.
Romaine stated that the county will be purchasing new vehicles for the Suffolk County Police Department as well, and he intends to improve police and county government’s mental health services.
Additionally, the county executive expressed concern that Long Island is being “short changed” by the state and federal governments, in which the Island “does not get its fair share.”
“I want to know what happened to the infrastructure money that I supported that President Biden [D] put forward, or the environmental bond issue that the governor put forward, which I supported. … I just don’t see that money flowing to Long Island,” he said.
He gave a local example where Suffolk is deprived of comparative support: “For bus transportation and funding, we get $40 million. Nassau County, which is one-third the size of Suffolk, gets $103 million.”
Romaine went on to share that recently he submitted “one of the largest capital budgets in Suffolk’s history.”
This comes from his wish to fix many of the county’s dilapidated properties that have lacked maintenance. “It’s time that we maintain our roads, our bridges and our infrastructure,” he said.
Romaine went on to discuss his objective to lessen the Island’s high traffic congestion: “How about redoing the bridge over Nicholls Road? How about adding a third lane to the Sagtikos/Sunken Meadow Parkway?”
Furthermore, Romaine spoke of some of his disappointments with the state’s relationship with Suffolk.
For example, when discussing the Long Island Rail Road, Romaine said, “I come from a county where electrification stops at Babylon, Huntington and Ronkonkoma, and everything east of that being diesel. Really? Why aren’t we subject to getting electric trains? Why do we have to put up with dirty diesel?”
The 9U Tigers celebrate after the final out of the District 34 championship game. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Starting pitcher Jordan Ellis fires one in vs. Babylon. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Larkfield-Northport 9U catcher Michael Carp slides into third base. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The 9U Tigers celebrate after the final out of the District 34 championship game. Photo by Steven Zaitz
By Steven Zaitz
It took over 48 hours to play and endured a torrential downpour, but the Larkfield-Northport 9 and Under Little League baseball team finally got a chance to celebrate this past Monday — for a game that had started two days earlier.
The baby Tigers scored a 13-6 victory over the Babylon nine-year-olds at Ostego Park in Commack in a game that started Saturday night, Aug 3. After Northport took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, the heavens opened and the game resumed on Monday, Aug. 5.
Starting pitcher Jordan Ellis went three innings and gave up four runs on three hits and he struck out six Babylon batters. Kellyn Repetti, who started the game as the Tiger third baseman, pitched an inning and two-thirds, allowing two earned runs, and Jack Sheedy closed out the game, working the final inning and a third.
Northport pitchers issued 13 total walks, whichwas the cause of much of the Babylon traffic on the basepaths and extended the lenght of the game to almost three hours. But they got big out when needed and allowed no more than two runs in any inning.
On offense, Northport jumped out to a 9-2 lead after two and a half innings, scoring at least a run in every inning but the fourth and exploding for five runs in the third. Sheedy and Repetti both had RBI triples in thethird inning off of Babylon starter Thaddeus Skarulis. The number two through six in the Larkfield-Northport batting order were an astoundingnine for nine, with eight runs scored, and seven runs batted in.
Ellis, Sheedy and first baseman Jackson Spoto were all 2 for 2 and Repetti was 3 for 3. Right fielder Dominic Elliot smacked a two-RBI single in the fifth inning, as the 9U Tigers just kept adding on. They led 11-4 after four and half innings, as the afternoon began to darken to dusk.
Wayne Kaifler, Reilly Cheffo and James Domanick also registered hits for Larkfield-Northport in the final game.
To make it here, the Tigers won an 8-7 nail-biter against West Islip in the semifinal game, which took eight innings to decide. Spoto, who led the pitching staff all season, threw 75 pitches in that game and was ineligible to pitch in the championship game, so Larkfield head coach John Sheedy turned to his three-headed monster of pitchers topiece together the victory.
“Each of our pitchers did really well in this game and I am extremely proud of them and every member of this team,” said Sheedy, whose son Jack finished the game with a strikeout. “This championship is so well deserved for these kids. Every one of them put in a lot of hours of practice and they, as well as their families, were so dedicated during this season. To see everything to come to fruition is just a wonderful thing.”
Repetti, who for every game wears a shiny, multicolored necklace that his mom made for him, was ecstatic on his his team winning the championship jewels.
“It feels great to win,” Repetti said. “We are a good team, but I think the necklace brought us the good luck we needed.”
And with that, the entire team and their families were off to Coach Sheedy’s house for alittle pizza celebration.
Said the coach — “It was the best tasting pizza we’ve ever had.”
Joseph Shroyer in 2019. Courtesy the of Shroyer family
Prepared by the Shroyer Family
On Aug. 4th, 1932, Dr. Joseph Mark Shroyer (Joe)passed away at 91 on July 9th at Stony Brook UniversityHospital.
Born to Dr. Reed M. and L. Pearl Shroyer in Vincennes,Indiana, he grew up as the youngest of four. In Indiana, he learned the importance of hard work, education and family.
A photo of Joseph Shroyer taken when he was at college at the Indiana University. Courtesy of the Shroyer family
He, subsequently, completed his bachelor’s degree at the Indiana University,where he served as the president of the Acacia House and was a co-founder of the world-renowned Little 500 bicyclerace.
Joe married Nancy Jane Morris, and his first child, Ken, was born, while attending medical school at Yale. Followinggraduation, Dr. Shroyer pursued training in experimental pathology, at the University of Rochester, in Upstate N.Y., where his daughter, Beth, was born.
Following this, Joe completed residency and clinicalfellowships, in adult and pediatric orthopedics, at the MayoClinic, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the New Mexico State Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Shroyer enlisted as an officer in the U.S. Army in 1962, serving as a trauma and orthopedic surgeon, for almost nine years. He was the commanding surgeon of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) unit in Vietnam, as well. Additionally, he was the chief of orthopedics at military bases, throughout the southwest.
Dr. Shroyer entered private practice in Pueblo, Colorado, in 1969, where he lived with Ken, Beth and his first wife, Nancy, until she passed away. In 1982, Dr. Shroyer married Joann Arnold, with whom he raised their daughter, Katie, and his stepson, Brian. Later in life, he married his highschool sweetheart, Nancy Knowles, with whom he lived for many years before she passed away, last year.
Joe was an adventurer, avid horseman, skier, sailor andmotorcyclist. He and the family traveled frequently to Kino Bay, on the coast of one of the most remote areas of Northwest Mexico, and to the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
He devoted his life to serving others, and was a role model to his children, grandchildren and those whose life he touched.
Dr. Shroyer is survived by his son, Ken, his wife, Laurie, his daughters, Beth and Katie, and his three grandchildren: Robert, Jessica andBrad.
A memorial service was held at the Three Village Church in Setauket.
Henry Hull (Hank) of Port Jefferson passed away on July 26 at the age of 91.Born in 1933 in Orange County, Hank was the son of Henry Hull and Helen Frances Smith of Highland Mills.
Having lost both his parents by age 14, building a strong family was everything to this man.His greatest joy was spending 64 years married to the love of his life, Eileen Katherine Hull.Together they had four children: Jacqueline Hull, Suzanne Frances Wolff, the late Lawrence Henry Hull and Christine Cognetti.The role he treasured most was being grandfather to his all-star team of seven who lovingly called him Pop: Thomas Henry Hull, Sarah Hull, Alexa Jane Wolff, Connor Wolff, Ella Cognetti, Olivia Cognetti, and Katherine Cognetti.
Raised by his loving sister-in-law Carrie, college seemed out of reach until he was inspired by a high school teacher to apply to Albany State. There he discovered his lifelong love for education.Hank earned his bachelor degree from the University at Albany, a master’s degree from Hofstra University and did extensive graduate work in mathematics at Boston College.
Hank was a believer in the power of education, so teaching was not only his career but also his true calling.He spent 35 years teaching mathematics at a variety of levels,ranging from middle school classes in Northport to courses at Suffolk Community College and Dowling College. In addition, he was a founding member of the Continental Mathematics League (CML), an organization that enables students and schools to compete in a variety of subjects on a global level.
Giving back to the community was always a priority for Hank. He was a member of the Eaton’s Neck Fire Department and an ex-Captain and lifetime member of the Port Jefferson Fire Department. A veteran of the US Air Force, he was a mathematics instructor at Sampson Air Force base in Geneva.
Using stories and jokes he touched so many lives; Hank was always ready with a (not so) quick story to engage those around him. He loved the challenge of puzzles and met the crossword each day with a hopeful spirit. Hank found a passion for poetry, often gaining inspiration at night and writing throughout the day. We are now fortunate to have hundreds of poems to comfort us.
Hank enjoyed the simple things in life with his grandchildren like ice cream, oreos, a cold beer and deep discussions. He loved seeing his children and grandchildren play the sports he once played himself and could often be found cheering on the sidelines of soccer, lacrosse, golf, basketball, and baseball. Up until the end, he kept track of where everyone was in their travels so he could pray for their safe returns.
Wherever Hank went he touched the lives of so many with his deep sense of caring and utmost respect for others.
Memorial visitation was on Thursday, August 1 from 2–4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Firematic services are on Friday at 8:00 p.m.A mass followed by celebration of life was held on Friday, August 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Caroline Episcopal Church in Setauket. The burial was at the Cemetery of the Highlands on Saturday, August 3 at 1p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Caroline Episcopal Church of East Setauket.
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