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Richard Edward Organisciak

1951 - 2016

Richard Edward Organisciak

1951 - 2016

Obituary

Guest Book

BORN

1951

DIED

2016

Richard Organisciak Obituary

Name: Visitation for Richard Edward Organisciak
Start: 2016-07-22T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-07-22T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Fairchild Sons Funeral Home Inc

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 21, 2016.

ORGANISCIAK - Richard Edward on July 20, 2016. Former Superintendent of Schools in New York City, Deer Park and New Rochelle, succumbed to renal cell carcinoma after a long and valiant battle. Richard was a champion of the newly-arrived immigrant, the at-risk student and the struggling individual. As such, he was the Principal/Director of Offsite Educational Services, a program comprised of 115 community-based agencies, and in 1985, opened the Harvey Milk School for Gay and Lesbian Youth. In 1992, he was installed as Principal of George W. Wingate High School in Brooklyn, NY. He later served as Superintendent of Alternative Schools and Programs for the NYC Board of Education, Superintendent of the Deer Park School District and Superintendent of Schools in the City School District of New Rochelle, where he served until his retirement in 2013. Born in Guildford, Surrey, England on June 4, 1951, Richard's family emigrated to East New York, Brooklyn in 1957. He attended Bernard Baruch College, where he served as Program Director of radio station WBMB until his graduation in 1973. Richard then graduated cum laude from New York Law School in 1989 and passed the bar examination for practice in New York in 1990. Richard's first marriage ended in divorce and he remarried in 1988 to Ann Andreoli. They lived in Westbury, NY where they raised their daughter Jana. His father, Roman, predeceased him in 1998 as did his mother, Anna, in 2013. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Jana (Josh), granddaughters, Jordana and Jemma, sister, Lilia (Jack), and nieces, Jillian and MacKenzie.Visitation Friday from 2-4 & 7-9pm at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, Inc., 1201 Franklin Avenue, Garden City, NY. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 9am at St. Brigid's R.C. Church, Westbury, NY. Entombment at Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury, NY.

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Recent Activity

July 15, 2019

michael turek posted to the memorial.

April 28, 2017

Ann Mele posted to the memorial.

February 4, 2017

Richard Spiegel posted to the memorial.

9 Entries

michael turek

July 15, 2019

I had the honor of working closely with Richard on issues that, at times, provided significant challenges for the broader community. However together we were able to focus upon reason and implement the reasonable. Thank you Richard.

Ann Mele

April 28, 2017

Richard was my boss when I was an AP at OES. A good boss in a good organization which helped disenfranchised students earn their diplomas. We brought school to the students, to housing projects, hospitals, community organizations, drug rehab programs, etc.
Richard was very inspiring and had a wicked sense of humor. I miss those days. Even though I've been retired for many many years, I still think about OES.
I am sorry to be sending these condolescences so late. I just recently heard of his death. I was out of the country for a couple of months.
In sympathy, Ann Mele

Richard Spiegel

February 4, 2017

Richard was a dear partner and guiding force in bringing the Waterways Project, a creative writing and literacy program, to thousands of New York City alternative high school students. His humanistic appreciation of literature and student expression enabled the arts to flourish under his roles as principal and superintendent. Barbara Fisher and I were shocked to learn today of his passing. His life affected so many. A good man.

Marjorie C. Wilson

September 24, 2016

We just heard. We would like to offer our condolences to the Organisciak Family. Few students are more at-risk than pregnant and parenting teens. Mr. Organisciak was instrumental in getting the LYFE Program off the ground. Many a meeting took place before and after hours with Carol Burt-Beck, the founder of the LYFE Program, Mr. Organisciak and me, the former LYFE Coordinator regarding putting day care centers into NYC high schools. The program began in 1982 and continues today. In appreciation , he was presented with a framed handprint of some of the babies. On behalf of All of us who remember, may you be comforted by warm, wonderful memories of a man who truly cared about the students he served.

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July 27, 2016

Richard was a fair and professional Superintendent to the NYC BOE Adult Education department. I live in New Rochelle each start of the school year I promised myself that I would stop by NR Bd of Ed and say I am so glad you are in m community. I never followed through and I am now saddened that I did not. My fellow NReans - who I spoke with all had praise for Richard. Thank you for what you did for Adult Ed and wha you did for NR. COndolences to the family.
Nancy RUSSO

Michael Friedman

July 23, 2016

I worked with Richard at Offsite Educational Services. I will truly miss him. He cared about the stuents that we serve. He also cared deeply about his staff. My prayeers are with his wife and daughter.

Thank you for all you did.

Pietro Taurasi

July 23, 2016

Resr in peace Rich! From going up in tough East New York to High school together to the Board of Education together nothing held us back. You helped thousands of students and you will be missed tremendously.
Condolences to Ann and family.

Pete Taurasi
Nazareth High School, class of 1968
NYC Board of Education. 1975-2005

michael turek

July 21, 2016

Richard- We went through some ups and downs but we went through them together and we emerged stronger with sound and indeed sincere friendship.

I consider it a privilege to have worked with you and to have known you. I always enjoyed our stimulating conversations for which you always made time.

True- I thought your football allegiance was misguided but I could always somehow always overlook that particular issue!

I shall miss you my dear friend. You were indeed a valiant warrior and that endearing smile never left your face.

My prayers and those of our Young Israel of New Rochelle family go out to the family. May you always be strengthened by your lasting memories of this gentleman- of this scholar.

Bobby Curti

July 21, 2016

Richard was a remarkable individual who profoundly impacted many, many individuals through his leadership as the School Superintendent in NYC. Richard was committed to improving the quality of education and making it available to all people.

On a personal level Richard always made us feel very welcomed anytime we visited, and was always very warm and engaging. He will be truly missed by everyone who knew him.

Ann, Jana, Josh and family- you are very much in our hearts and our prayers.

All our Love,
Laurie and Bobby Curti

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Funeral Services Provided By

Fairchild Sons Funeral Home Inc

1201 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530