It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that The Green Vale School shares the news that its beloved assistant headmaster and upper school director, John A. Cosentino, suffered a fatal heart attack while hiking out of the Grand Canyon in Arizona on Thursday, May 6.

John, 46 and a resident of Syosset, was leading the ninth grade class on a week-long camping trip, an annual tradition for ninth grade students. With him on this trip was his son, James, who will graduate from Green Vale next month. John's daughter, Christina, now a senior at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset, made the same camping trip with her father while she was a ninth grade student at Green Vale.

In addition to his two children, John is survived by his beloved wife, Susan, his cherished parents, Joseph and Jean Cosentino, his siblings, Andrew (Eileen), Joseph, Ann Marie, Vickie (John) Beck, Terry, and Michael (Julia), and 22 nieces and nephews.

Mr. "C" (as students fondly called him) began his 25 year career in education as a science and reading teacher at The Green Vale School in 1979. He also taught English, History and Math over the years, was the director of the middle school from 1984 to 1993 and in 1994 was appointed upper school director and assistant headmaster. Directing the annual ninth grade play was a labor of love that earned John the additional, yet unofficial, title of musical and creative consultant for all of the School's class plays.

Prior to taking his position at Green Vale, John received his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from SUNY Potsdam. He earned his Master of Science degree at LIU-CW Post, and his Certificate of Advanced Study - Educational Administration at Hofstra University.

John was a creative, talented, passionate and inspiring educator who touched the lives of more than a thousand young students, and mentored scores of young teachers. His genuine affection and respect for students of all ages, love of life and loud, contagious laugh will never be forgotten.

John Cosentino's legacy is all those students who became life-long learners because of the foundation he helped them build for themselves. His final moments were spent doing exactly what he loved doing - leading and teaching children. As Thomas McPartland, President of Green Vale's Board of Trustees, said, "His life was a gift to the children."

In lieu of flowers, John's family has requested that donations be made to the American Heart Association. In addition, The Green Vale School community is in the process of establishing an educational support fund for John's two children. Details on this will soon be available. Anyone interested in supporting the fund may contact the school directly, at 516-621-2420, extension 117.

A funeral mass was held on Wednesday, May 12, at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Brookville.