New York
Leroy Rowe, 74
Died February 23, 2021.
Adlai E. Stevenson School No. 29, Rochester, NY
Custodian
Irma Ouimet, 73
Died February 23, 2021.
Unatego Central School District, Otego, NY
Substitute
Irma A. Ouimet of Otego, a native of Peru and Unatego Central School District teacher, passed away Feb. 23, 2021, in the ICU at Bassett Hospital from complications related to COVID-19.
Irma Alejandrina Villegas Ormachea was born in Calca (Cusco), Peru, and became a teacher serving young children in the mountains of Peru. Irma came to live in the U.S. upon her marriage to her husband Gene Ouimet in 1984.
Irma continued her teaching career after moving to Otego and served as a substitute teacher at both Oneonta and Unatego Middle and High Schools. Irma loved working with her colleagues and enjoyed the students, especially sharing her knowledge of Peru with students in Spanish classes.
Irma loved gardening, cooking and painting. She volunteered at Harris Memorial Library in Otego, tending to the flower beds and received a certificate of recognition for her service on Dec. 3, 2011. Irma also loved animals and was a devoted caretaker to her pets and other neighborhood dogs and cats.
Irma is survived by her husband of 36 years, Gene Ouimet of Otego; three stepchildren, Cheryl Ouimet, Jeff Ouimet and Scott Ouimet and his wife, Toni Ouimet; brothers-in-law, Fred and Andre Ouimet and his wife, Caroline Ouimet. Irma also leaves behind five loving siblings, Maria Isabel, Raul, Oswaldo, Americo and Luis, all living in Peru; nieces, Sandra and Alessandra; and nephews, Andres and Sergio. Irma’s special friend Sidlia Torres from Peru, as well as all her beloved friends and neighbors in Otego, were very dear to her during her life.
Irma’s family extends its thanks for all the prayers and support received from family, friends and neighbors during Irma’s illness. The family also expresses its sincere appreciation to the professional, caring and respectful ICU staff at Bassett Hospital who cared so compassionately for Irma during her stay.
A memorial service for Irma will be held in the spring.
Donations may be made in Irma’s name to the Susquehanna SPCA, 4841 NY-28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Jyl Way, 49
Died January 10, 2021.
Fabius Elementary School, Fabius, NY
School Library Aide
Jyl M. Way, 49, of Pompey, passed away, Sunday, January 10, 2021. She was born September 15, 1971, in Syracuse and was a graduate of Baker High School in Baldwinsville in 1989. She earned her Associates’ degree with honors from Onondaga Community College and attended Syracuse University.
She was employed as a teacher’s aide with the Fabius-Pompey School District for almost 5 years. Jyl was the owner of Volpe Nails in Fayetteville for 12 years. She was a former member of the Pompey Hill Fire Department. Jyl enjoyed camping and spending time with her family. She loved to socialize and tell stories about better times, and the “littles” at school. Jyl was committed to everything and everyone she cared about, and she was never afraid to be herself. She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Bruce “BR” Way of Pompey; her children, Brittni, Benjamin, and Haleigh; her father, William E. Czelusniak of Baldwinsville and her mother, Sharon A. Czelusniak of Bridgeport.
Ntina Paleos-Stemas, 55
Died January 30, 2021.
George W. Hewlett High School, Hewlett, NY
English as a New Language
For those who knew Hewlett High School teacher Ntina Paleos-Stemas, she was a person who touched the lives of thousands of students, families and co-workers throughout her years in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District.
The longtime Hewlett-Woodmere English as a New Language teacher died on Jan. 30 from Covid-19 complications. She was 55. Paleos-Stemas is the second Hewlett-Woodmere teacher to die from Covid-19 complications in the past month, Woodmere Middle School technology teacher Anthony Cardinale died on Jan. 6.
Paleos-Stemas’ was raised in Baldwin, and was a graduate of Baldwin High School. Her passion for teaching began overseas at schools in Switzerland and Argentina. She then joined the school district in 1998 and taught at the Franklin Early Childhood Center, Ogden Elementary School, and Woodmere Middle School before finding her permanent home at Hewlett High.
Fluent in English, Greek, Spanish and French, Paleos-Stemas helped spearhead the district’s first English as a Second Language summer program. She taught academics and exposed the students to the culture of a specific language through educational trips.
Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino Jr. said in a statement on Jan. 31 that Paleos-Stemas was a beloved member of the Hewlett-Woodmere community despite not living there.
“She dedicated her career to our ENL families, and was well-known for her caring, compassionate teaching style and staunch advocacy for her cherished students,” Marino said in a statement. “Ms. Paleos-Stemas’ love for her students extended far beyond the halls of Hewlett-Woodmere, as she remained in contact with them for many years after graduation.”
Caryn Bachar is the lead ENL teacher at Hewlett-Woodmere, a friend and colleague, who said that Paleos-Stemas was a positive and supportive force in the lives of her students.
“Ntina dedicated her career to educating English Language Learners and advocated for them in school and in their lives,” Bachar said via email. “Many of her students stayed in touch with her long after graduation. She was invited to their graduations, weddings, and the births of their children.”
When not in the classroom, Paleos-Stemas loved to spend her time with her two teenage children, Nicholas and Zoe Stemas, along with many family members and friends. She also loved to travel and celebrate the beauty and wonder of other cultures, and spent much time in her native homeland of Greece.
Hewlett-Woodmere Faculty Association President Ric Stark said that a district scholarship in memory of Paleos-Stemas is being set up. He also urged district students and parents to continue following Covid-19 protocols.
“So far, we have been fortunate to avoid extended school closures other than twice in the middle school and once in Hewlett Elementary,” he said. “I ask your help in doing what is necessary to keep our schools open.”
Paleos-Stemas is survived by her parents, George and Vassiliki Paleos, her sister Kosmas Paleos, two children, Nicholas and Zoe Stemas. A funeral was held on Feb. 5 at the Saints Anargyroi, Taxiarchis and Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church in Greenport. She is interred at the Cutchogue Cemetery.
“Ntina was a strong woman, collaborative colleague, fantastic friend, and the role she loved most, a phenomenal mother,” Bachar added. “Ntina always prioritized her family, friends, students and the community. She was loved in life and will forever be remembered for her heart and advocacy.”
Paul Lindner Sr., 67
Died January 10, 2021.
St. Mary’s High School, Manhasset, NY
Religion
Paul Lindner Sr., who spent over 30 years as a member of the faculty at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, has died.
Lindner, of Queens Village, was 67 when he succumbed to the effects of COVID-19 on Jan. 10, the school said in a Facebook post. He had been diagnosed with the disease three weeks prior to his death and had been in an intensive care unit, they said.
Born Mar. 25, 1953, the school says that before his tenure at St. Mary’s, Lindner worked in the Diocese of Brooklyn for several years.
He began as a teacher in the school’s religion department in 1988 and remained in the position for the next several decades. After school, Lindner led the extracurricular activities the Music Club and Chess Club.
Lindner also served as an adjunct professor in the theology department at St. John’s University in Jamaica.
“His students always spoke of what a kind man he was, and teaching at St. Mary’s brought him immense joy to share our faith with his students,” the school said. “He had a positive attitude that truly shined inside and outside of the classroom.”
In the comments below the school’s announcement of his death, Lindner was referred to as “an angel of a man.”
“He was truly my favorite teacher at St. Mary’s,” one wrote. “He helped me get through a very dark time in my teenage years. I will forever cherish all of my memories.”
“Mr. Linder taught me at St. Mary’s and again at St. John’s when I ended up in his class after changing my major to theology,” another said. “His class at SMHS totally helped me breeze through my courses at SJU.”
“Such a kind man, I loved going to chess club after school and having fun and laughing with him and everyone there,” a third wrote. “One of my favorite teachers of all time.”
“A phenomenal religion teacher,” a fourth said. “I used to drop off the guidance passes at his homeroom every morning and he always took the time to say hello. He really cared about his students.”
As a faculty member, Lindner was frequently asked about himself in the school’s yearbook Gael, where he shared that his favorite food was eggplant parmigiana; that he enjoyed reading, skating, and skiing; and that he once took room service to Johnny Cash.
In the 1999 edition of Gael, Lindner was asked to name his most prized possession.
“[My greatest possession is] my faith!” Lindner replies. “It causes me great joy, and it is my strength in times of trouble.”
Lindner is survived by his son Paul Jr.; the mother of his son, Jo Anne; and his extended family. He was buried on Jan. 14 at St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries in West Babylon.
Anthony Cardinale, 51
Died January 6, 2021.
Woodmere Middle School, Woodmere, NY
Technology
Hewlett-Woodmere School District faculty members and students from past and present shared their memories of beloved Woodmere Middle School faculty member Anthony Cardinale.
The district announced that the middle school technology teacher died on Jan. 6 from Covid-19 complications. He was 51. Cardinale had contracted the virus during the holiday break.
A Brooklyn native, he began working in the Hewlett-Woodmere district in September of 2004, all at Woodmere Middle School. Cardinale was previously a teacher at Valley Stream Central High School from 1996 to 2004.
He also served as an adviser to clubs and activities at the school including, the art, chess, multimedia and video clubs, along with being the set designer for the middle school’s musicals and the trip coordinator for the sixth and eighth grades.
Cardinale was well known for taking photographs as the students presented their projects at the History and science fairs, Career Day, Invention Convention and many other school events.
Superintendent Dr. Ralph Marino Jr. said in a statement that Cardinale was a well-liked staff member. “The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools family suffered a devastating loss with the passing of Mr. Anthony Cardinale,” Marino wrote. “He was an extraordinary and caring educator who always put his students first. It was impossible not to smile while in his presence and feel uplifted after even the briefest conversation with him.”
Alexandria Blair is a Hewlett-Woodmere graduate who currently works as a teaching assistant at the middle school. Blair had Cardinale as a teacher during her middle school years and noted how his class helped her get through tough times.
“My middle school experience was not easy to say the least being the new kid who moved from out of district and being in the midst of being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease,” Blair said. “Mr. Cardinale was always kind to me when kids were not. His class was exciting and he never failed to make us laugh. He made coming to school easier, even on my hardest days.”
Blair noted that it was an honor to be a co-worker of Cardinale’s years after she sat in his classroom. “I can hear his voice carrying down the hall, my first year working at WMS, telling anyone who would listen, ‘Did you know this beautiful young lady was my student?” she said. “This man had such a genuine and sweet soul.”
Anthony Sylmetaj said he was a friend of Cardinale’s for roughly 30 years. He described Cardinale as being a gentleman. “Every year, we would all go out for Christmas dinner with our families and have 4th of July barbecues,” Sylmetaj said. “I’ll miss meeting up at the pool hall every weekend. Anthony made everyone around him feel comfortable like the true gentleman he was.”
Marino added that Cardinale will always be remembered fondly by students and staff. “Mr. Cardinale will be greatly missed by all,” he said. “His legacy will live on through the memories of all who had the honor of knowing him.”
David Olivieri, 50
Died November 13, 2020.
Lackawanna High School, Lackawanna, NY
Mathematics
November 13, 2020 of West Falls, NY. Beloved husband of Renee (nee Shady); devoted father of Francesca Teresa Marie and Angalene Antoinette Olivieri; loving son of Gene M. and Angeline M. Olivieri; cherished brother of Gene M. Jr. (Carla Orr) and Dean M. (Carli Cruse) Olivieri; fond son-in-law of Joseph T. and Antoinette Shehadi; dear brother-in-law of Sheila (Amine) Khoury, Diana (Elie) Harfouche, Dr. Joseph (Yvette) Shehadi, Michael (Sandra) Shady, Marlo Shehadi, and Kimberly (Maged) Natanios; also survived by many nieces and nephews.