The NCCFT Executive Committee, along with the rest of the campus, mourns the passing of Professor Jeff Frankel, who devoted nearly forty years of his life to Nassau Community College. Our thoughts go out to his friends and loved ones.
Working in the Center for Students with Disabilities, Jeff served as a counselor and mentor for countless students who benefited from his experience, his wisdom, and his passionate commitment to everyone’s right to claim a quality higher education. He brought that advocacy to his work on the Committee for Persons with Disabilities, his position as faculty advisor to the Access Club, and his long-standing service to the college’s Affirmative Action Committee. As a dedicated union member, he gave his energy selflessly to our Political Action Committee, and that committee’s efforts were broadened and enriched as a result.
When news of Jeff’s passing was announced on the college email system, colleagues from around the campus offered spontaneous testimonials to Jeff’s tireless work on behalf of our students, his contributions to the campus, his kindness and compassion, and the wonderful legacy he leaves behind him at the college.
We will miss him.
5 Responses
Jeff was simply a remarkable person, and will be missed by so many individuals that he interacted with at the College. He truly gave his all for the College, for his students, and for the union. I have some pretty funny memories of our political action adventures when lobbying in Albany.
Fran, Jeff was even more remarkable than many knew. His sudden death leaves a void in our lives, but most especially with the hundreds of students his expertise and empathy whose lives he impacted in a positive way many years after they left our college.
A favorite memory I will miss is the humour and laughter we shared……almost up to the minute he left us.
Jeff leaves a very large hole at CSD, both students and staff, at NCC, and, as a dear friend. Students have reached out with shock and sadness to express the profound positive impact Jeff had on their lives….many from years ago. He truly cared.
Many memories and even up to 24 hours before his sudden death, we talked, and most important of all, we laughed!
I agree with Fran and Donna. Jeff’s passing is yet one more goodbye to the “old” NCC, with its caring concern for student wellbeing and academic freedom.
I wish you could all have known him outside of work. He was the definitive of “what you see is what you get.” The most unpretentious, sincere and honest man I know. His wife and I are best friends, and when she married Jeff, he instantly became our best friend as well. What a good natured soul. Funny beyond words. We spent hours and hours laughing with him. Life dealt him a lot of blows, but he overcame them all. I love my “Jeef.” He will be so missed by us and he is always in our hearts.