Judge Nathan Stern, who served as village justice for the Village of Roslyn since 1958, died last Saturday night. He was 87.

Judge Stern's many years in office had made him the longest sitting judge in New York State. Judge Stern moved to Roslyn with his family in 1956. Two years later, he was elected village justice and won re-election in every contest since then. He was last re-elected three months ago in March 2002.

"He loved the Village of Roslyn and he loved serving the people," said Allan Stern, Judge Stern's son.

Village officials, past and present, quickly offered their own tributes.

"I was deeply saddened by Judge Stern's passing," said Roslyn Mayor John Durkin. "I was distraught over the loss of Judge Stern particularly since he had been judge for such a long time and was known by so many people in the village."

Upon hearing of Judge Stern's passing, Mayor Durkin immediately ordered all flags in the village to be flown at half-mast. The mayor also closed village offices on Tuesday morning, June 25 so that all village employees could attend the funeral services, which were held at Sunset Chapel in Manhasset.

"Judge Stern was a man of great honor, a true gentleman," said former mayor, Janet Galante. "His service to the Village of Roslyn was a true commitment of service and dedication for nearly 45 years. His memory and work will live on through the Nathan Stern Community Room. He will be missed by all."

"Judge Stern was a pillar of integrity and stability who devoted extraordinary service to our village," said Marshall Bernstein, board of trustees member. "He earned great respect as village justice and his record of public service to the community will probably never be equaled. His career was a model of the private citizen serving the commonwealth."

Judge Stern was a native of Brooklyn. He attended Brooklyn College, where he received his law degree from that college's law school in 1938. Before moving to Roslyn, he practiced law in Brooklyn, specializing in labor contracts and arbitrated disputes. In 1977, Judge Stern founded the law firm of Stern and Stern, located in Mineola. In time, Judge Stern's son, Allan, would join him as a partner. Judge Stern retired from regular legal work about ten years ago, but he still performed legal services for several clients.

During his years in Roslyn, he was a member and for a time, president, of the Nassau County Magistrates Association. He also held executive positions in the New York State Associations of Magistrates. He was recently honored at a dinner by the Nassau County Bar Association and received a medal for 60 years of practice before the bar.

On a local level, Judge Stern served as president of both the Pines Civic Association and the Pines Pool Club. On June 20, 2000, Judge Stern received a most special honor from the village. On that date, the board of trustees dedicated the beforementioned "Nathan Stern Community Room" at village hall.

His wife, Thelma; two children, Allan and Janet; and three grandchildren, Jessica, Andrew, and Bryan survive Judge Stern. The couple was married for 56 years.