2012 in Review: Remembering Those We Lost

The communities of West Sayville to Blue Point mourned many who passed away during this past year. No matter their ages or circumstances, their passings brought residents all great sadness and tears and in some cases ignited efforts to help keep our memories of some special residents very much alive.

This list is by no means complete. Patch's forum allows readers to post death notices and obituaries. The following are ones that appeared in our news coverage this year.

Let's take a moment to remember each and everyone as we head into 2013. The listing of names is in alphabetical order. If a name has been inadvertently not included, please let Patch know in the comments and Patch will update.

Stanley E. Gillette

The 88-year-old Bayport resident was an active member of the Bayport Fire Department for 71 years. He served as chief and commissioner of the Bayport Fire District; served in the army in the Pacific Theatre during World War II and was a member of the American Legion, Smith Weaver Post in Sayville.

John Kefalas

Reverend John Kefalas, a longtime Greek Orthodox leader from Setauket, spent 33 years at St. John's Greek Orthodox Church in Blue Point. More than 1,000 people attended his funeral.

Doug Monsell

Bayport-Blue Point teacher Doug Monsell, a beloved Bayport-Blue Point business teacher and high school golf coach, was an extremely well-liked educator who lost his a valiant fight against liver disease. His death ignited a memorial effort by a local scout who designed and created an outdoor lunch patio at the high school in Monsell’s honor.

Eric Muschenick

The Bayport man, well loved by his family and friends, was found dead near his mother's home on Sylvan Avenue and a medical examiner’s report indicated his death was a non-criminal act. A tribute in his memory was placed at the site where he was found.

Matthew Omans

The  24-year-old Bayport native, who was killed after being hit by a train, graduated from Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School in Cambridge, Massachusetts and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in applied economics and management-entrepreneurship from Cornell University where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. At the start of his sophomore year of high school, Matt moved to Cambridge, MA where he lived with his brother Jesse and attended school there until he graduated in 2006.

Robert Reza

Former Bayport resident and physician Robert Reza died from natural causes. The 68-year-old was convicted in 1992 of murdering his wife and died at an upstate prison facility where he was serving his 25 years to life sentence.

Cameron Roger Riccomini                            

Cameron, a fifth grade student at Cherry Avenue, passed away in November a long and heroic battle with Chordoma, a rare form of cancer.

Billy Schettino

The 18-year-old aspiring Blue Point college student and artist was killed on the LIE after a Suffolk County Deputy Sheriff’s vehicle struck him while he awaited help after his car became disabled on the highway. His death spurred a ongoing grass roots community effort, led by his family and many friends, to build a skate board park in honor of his love for the sport. The 2011 graduate of Bayport-Blue Point High School was heading to class at Suffolk Community College when he was killed.

Al Werner

The  83-year-old Bayport resident  is credited with making Town of Islip’s MacArthur Airport the regional transport hub it is today. Werner was a Bayport High School graduate, a member of the school’s 1946 championship basketball team, served in the Air Force and worked as the airport commissioner for 53 years. Werner was a lifelong Republican and an active member of the East End Republican Club.

Christa Alma Zepf

The well-liked Blue Point grandmother was the lone fatality in a massive vehicle crash on the LIE that involved over 30 vehicles. The 68-year-old was reportedly headed out east for spur of the moment holiday shopping trip.