June Irvin, former superintendent, fondly remembered

June Irvin, a former North Merrick School District superintendent, Old Mill Road School principal and active community member, died on April 27 of natural causes. She was 76.

"Our children, our district and I were lucky to have her, and are better off because of her," said Marcia Pulewitz, a former member of the North Merrick School Board, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education and friend of Irvin for more than 30 years.

Irvin is recognized for her contributions to the North Merrick Schools and also the community at large through her active role in the Kiwanis Club of Merrick and as a board member of the Bellmore-Merrick Concert Association. She is remembered as honest, fair, accomplished, helpful and compassionate.

Irvin joined the North Merrick School District as principal of Old Mill Road School after beginning a career in education in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. She moved into the position of superintendent after the death of her predecessor, Harold Fayette, becoming the first female superintendent in Nassau County. Her legacy lives on in North Merrick through two programs she instituted: full-day kindergarten and WINGS, a gifted program for children in fourth through sixth grades.

"She was very close with all the children," Pulewitz said. "She always knew all the kids' names. She was very genuine and warm. It was clear she cared about them, and she cared about the staff, too."

"When she walked into a classroom, the kids just paid attention," said Frances Guercio, a former Old Mill Road School nurse and longtime friend of Irvin.

"She was very honest. Very, very honest," said Sue Dillon, Merrick Library Board president, who developed a decades-long friendship with Irvin through shared community activities. "And very helpful. And she didn't mince words. I respected her a great deal for that."

Irvin's professional nature is still admired by coworkers and acquaintances.

"June was very careful about her appearance," said Norbert Billig, who served on the North Merrick Board of Education for more than 25 years. "She always looked well-groomed and always well-dressed. I don't know if I ever saw her in jeans, but if she did, they were pressed."

But she is also remembered for a softer side. Irvin is described as a devoted daughter. Her mother moved to Merrick to live with Irvin, and stayed with her well into old age, living to be more than 100 years old. Irvin shared her life with those who shared her passion for education, including her first husband, Frank Gerhardt, a superintendent in the Belmore-Merrick Central High School District, and after his passing, her second husband, Bill Irvin, superintendent in Uniondale.

Guercio said before making a trip to Italy, Irvin gave her a handful of change to throw in the the Trevi Fountain, and told her she needed them to make a wish. Guercio agreed, and said Bill proposed to her shortly after.

"If she was your friend, she was your friend forever, really," Guercio said.

She was also a loving sister to her brother and a devoted aunt to his four children, who live in Ohio.

As a member of Kiwanis, she helped recognize teachers for their community influence. "She added value to all the programs she was involved in with Merrick Kiwanis, especially the Teacher Recognition Program, which she had chaired for many years." said Douglas Mills, a Kiwanis distinguished past president. "I had the pleasure of working with June both professionally and philanthropically, and found that whichever hat she was wearing, she represented that organization well. She will be missed by all of her friends in Merrick, especially those in our Kiwanis family."

After retiring from the North Merrick district in 1992, Irvin became associate publisher of Merrick Life, remaining a strong influence in the community that she helped to shape throughout her career and adult life.

Comments about this obituary? SZeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.