Vincent Joseph Sydlansky

Vincent Joseph Sydlansky, 75, of Coram, New York, passed away peacefully on Monday May 23, 2022, after a short but intense battle with cancer. Vincent was born on August 19, 1946, in Mobile, Alabama to Joseph and Dorothy Sydlansky, while Joseph was serving in the U.S. Navy. After his brother William was born seven years later, the family moved to Long Island, and Vincent graduated from North Babylon High School in 1967 as a varsity letterman in wrestling and golf. When his family decided to move to Texas, Vincent chose to stay on Long Island and study at Long Island University on the C.W. Post campus, where he went on to earn both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in biology. After graduation, Vincent taught briefly at Iona Preparatory School, then in 1970 accepted a position in the Half Hollow Hills School District. Vincent taught for over 38 years, during which time he also coached lacrosse and tutored students in the natural sciences. In 2005 Vincent retired from high school teaching, but soon returned to classroom instruction as an adjunct professor at both Nassau and Suffolk County Community Colleges where he taught until March of 2022. Vincent was an avid student of all things nature, from fossils and geodes to plants and wildlife. He loved his Audi, the N.Y. Giants, going to dinner and the movies, and all things made by Apple. He was a teacher not only professionally but in his personal life as well; Vincent truly delighted in showing and sharing new and interesting finds, especially with his children and grandchildren. Vincent is survived by daughter Laurel, son Paul, and daughter Carolyn. Vincent leaves behind a legacy not only through his children, but their loving spouses Rob Fay and Amy Sydlansky, and his six beloved grandchildren: Isabel, Emily, and Lily Fay; and Suzanne, John, and Hannah Sydlansky. Vincent’s family will receive visitors Friday May 27 from 5:00 – 8:00PM at the Bryant Funeral Home, 411 Old Town Road, Setauket, NY. Interment will be Saturday May 28 at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, NY. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations be made to NYS Natural Heritage Trust, to honor Vincent’s enduring love of the great outdoors. https://www.naturalheritagetrust.org/donate