Carol M. Forward

Former Jordan-Elbridge Teachers Association member Carol Forward, 80, died Sept. 26.

A lifelong resident of the Elbridge area, she earned a B.A. degree from Oswego State College and a master's degree from Cortland State College.

She retired in 1991 from the Jordan-Elbridge School District, where she taught in the elementary school. She previously taught in Memphis and Dallas.

Carol was pre-deceased by her husband, Hervey. She is survived by her son, Hervey C. (Ruth); a daughter, Karen (Thomas); a brother, Robert Derschang; and seven grandchildren.

Florence Joyce

Florence Joyce, a member of the United Federation of Teachers, died March 25 at age 84.

She started teaching after going back to school at the age of 40 and dedicated her career to the students of PS 90 in Brooklyn.

A devoted and excellent teacher and unionist, she was a UFT chapter leader and delegate to the NYSUT and AFT conventions whose dynamic spark was evident in all of her many endeavors.

George Hassoldt

George Hassoldt, 81, a retired coordinator of the UFT Welfare Fund at Staten Island Learning Center since 1990, died March 13.

A graduate of Wagner College and Columbia University, he pursued additional studies at Oxford University, England, and at the University of Salzburg in Austria.

After World War II, George's language fluency and other abilities were useful in helping residents of the town of Bad Kissinger recover from the war. An expert historian, he was an editor of Chronicles of Staten Island and had an interest in old trolleys.

Irene S. Kline

Retired Kingston Teachers Federation member Irene Kline died Oct. 12; she was 88.

A school librarian for more than 20 years, she expanded the Kingston school libraries into audiovisual centers and started a gifted and talented program for young students.

After retiring, she developed programs at the county library to introduce pre-schoolers and their parents to the library.

She was a member of the Agudas Achim and Tikvat Israel congregations and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International.

Irene is survived by her sons, Richard and Robert; her sister, Shirley Suskind; and seven grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Jewish Appeal.

Alfred Kuchler

Alfred Kuchler, a retired Whitesboro Teachers Association member, died Nov. 5.

A veteran of World War II, he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in agriculture, from St. Lawrence University with a teaching degree and Syracuse University with a degree in social work.

Al taught in Whitesboro for 10 years. He was a master gardener and enjoyed golfing
and bowling.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; a son, William, and daughter-in-law; a daughter Katheryn, and son-in-law; a brother, George, and sister-in-law; a sister, Betty, and brother-in-law, and three grandsons.

Norman Langsam

Norman Langsam, a retired member of the United Federation of Teachers, died Feb. 5.

A 1941 graduate of Brooklyn College, he served during World War II, teaching radar and related subjects.

After his discharge, he taught mathematics in Shallow Junior High School (PS 227) and in Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School.

He taught for 34 years and loved his profession, walking the picket line in 1968 to help the union. He retired in 1983.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gloria; children Rosalee (Bruce), Sharon (Daniel) and Harold (Marcia); five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Marvin Plissner

Marvin Plissner, a member of the United Federation of Teachers, died Feb. 22 at age 81.

He taught social studies at IS 34 in Staten Island for 10 years. After retiring, he served 20 more years as a substitute teacher.

He was a war hero, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. In later years he returned to school to teach children about Veterans Day.

Marvin loved teaching and always put his students first. He was a devoted husband to Eleanor, his wife of 53 years, a loving father of his two sons and daughter, and a doting grandfather.

Jean Rudolph

Former Alexander United Teachers member Jean Rudolph died Dec. 17.

A graduate of Fredonia State Teacher's College, Jean was hired by Alexander Central School in 1947. Jean was a vocal music teacher at Alexander for 38 years and retired in 1986. She spent most of her career teaching at the elementary school and earned an administrative certification later in her career.

Jean was honored by Canisius College for "Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year," nominated for New York State Teacher of the Year and a former member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Jean will be remembered for her innovative, creative teaching and "going the extra mile" for her students and colleagues.

She is survived by her husband Donald; daughter Cindy Dolan (James) who is also a teacher a Alexander; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life was held at Alexander Central School with many friends, community members and former students attending. In 2007, Jean's family established an honorary music scholarship in her name in celebration of her 80th birthday.

Memorials may be made to the school for the scholarship in her memory.

Susan Steinberg

Susan Steinberg, a member of the United Federation of Teachers, died Feb. 22.

A speech and drama teacher at Bayside High School in Queens from 1970 until her retirement, she was dean of students, yearbook adviser and faculty adviser for the General Organization. In 1986, Susan was elected UFT chapter leader, a position she held for more than 14 years. An AFT/NYSUT delegate, she was elected UFT Queens High School District Representative in 2000.

Susan is survived by her husband, Lou; a daughter, Nicole; stepson Scott and family; brothers Larry and Jonathan and family; and sister Jill and family.

Stefan John Yablonsky

Stefan John Yablonsky, 55, a member of Dutchess County BOCES Faculty Association, died Dec. 19.

A gifted teacher who worked for Dutchess County BOCES for 20 years, he led his electrical engineering students to state and national awards.

A member of his local's executive committee for many years, he was a Civil War enthusiast, sportsman, reader and musician, especially on guitar and keyboards.