Over 100 people, including local dignitaries, traveled to Sunset Chapel in Manhasset last Tuesday to attend a memorial service for Nathan Stern, Roslyn's longtime village justice who passed away on Saturday, June 22.

Rabbi Alan Lucas of Temple Beth Sholom officiated over the service. At the beginning, he eulogized Judge Stern by asking participates to "focus on the triumph and joy" of Judge Stern's life. As speakers at the service noted, Judge Stern had one of the most enduring political careers in recent Long Island history. He served as village justice of Roslyn for 44 years. First elected in 1958, he won a total of eleven re-election campaigns, the last coming in March of this year.

Janet Galante, former mayor of Roslyn, was the lone political speaker at the service. Also in attendance was current Roslyn mayor, John Durkin, plus board of trustee member Marshall Bernstein and Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger. In addition, village hall offices were closed during the morning hours so that all village employees could honor their late colleague.

Before speaking, Ms. Galante read a message from U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, which hailed Judge Stern as a "respected and treasured member of the community." Senator Schumer also noted the "long hours of hard work and little glory" that go into a job such as village justice. Senator Schumer further praised Judge Stern for partaking in what was "truly a labor of love" for the Village of Roslyn.

Ms. Galante, too, saluted Judge Stern's long years of dedication to Roslyn. She recalled that during her tenure of mayor, Judge Stern attended every event in the village, while offering support and encouragement to her efforts. Ms. Galante especially recalled Judge Stern and his wife attending the village's first Arbor Day celebrations.

"His service could be summed up in three words: responsibility, commitment, and love," said Ms. Galante.

Two of Judge Stern's three grandchildren also spoke at the service. Andrew Stern recalled his grandfather's "great joy" in attending his grandson's Bar Mitzvah. Granddaughter Jessica remembered the love she felt from her grandfather while she was young, and later as an adult, that same strong foundation that kept her close to him. Plus, there were Judge Stern's own ties to a village he had called home since 1956. "As much as Nat and Thelma were together, Nat and the community of Roslyn were identified together," she said.

Rabbi Lucas closed the service by taking a brief look back at Judge Stern's career. When the judge first ran for village justice, his two opponents were named Stein and Steinberg. Something needed to be done to distinguish Judge Stern from his two rivals. And so, he filed a class action suit against a planned incinerator for Roslyn. The suit was not successful, but since the incinerator itself was not very popular, Judge Stern's actions endeared him greatly to the people in the village, who could now see that he was someone who had their best interests at heart.

The judge, Rabbi Lucas continued, knew that once election, re-election for a position such as village justice is not very difficult. Still, way back in 1958, Judge Stern could never imagine serving in the same position for 44 years, a tenure that spanned the rest of his life.

Rabbi Lucas also recalled the pride Judge Stern took in being the longest serving judge in New York State. In addition, he was proud of several distinctions, namely his Brooklyn roots, and long ties he held over the years with "the boys from Bensonhurst" that he grew up with. There was also pride in being a longtime member of Temple Beth Sholom and for serving as an attorney for, among other clients, such soft drink giants as Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola.

As a judge, attorney, a husband, father, and a grandfather, Judge Stern was, above all, a "gentle soul," a man "loved and respected by all as a man of unquestionable integrity." "His life and warmth has not vanished," Rabbi Lucas continued. "It will passed along to another generation who will cherish his memory."