Oceanside remembers Jay Korn

Attorney Jay Korn, who died of an apparent suicide last week, is currently under investigation by the Nassau County district attorney's office in connection with a Ponzi scheme that may have defrauded dozens of clients out of more than 16 million dollars. Many reacted to that news with shock, and last week, Korn's friends and colleagues remembered him as a tireless community advocate, a strong leader, and the man who could always bring opposing sides of an issue together. Korn, a lifelong Rockville Centre resident and former president of the Oceanside Board of Education, died at the age of 70 on March 24.

Korn was born and raised in Rockville Centre. He graduated from South Side High School, then went on to graduate from Brooklyn Law School. He worked as an attorney with Korn & Spirn, in Hempstead, for more than 30 years.

“He was a real community person,” said Maryanne Lehrer, who served with Korn on Oceanside's BOE during his tenure from 1975 – 1987. Korn served as president of the board several times, and Lehrer said he led with a sense of humor and compassion. She particularly noted his keen ability as a negotiator, and his knack for resolving tough issues. “We served together for many years and he really had a lot to do with creating the modern board,” she said.

Oceanside Schools Superintendent Herb Brown said Korn always had the best interests of children in mind. Korn's daughters, Wendy and Laurie, both graduated from Oceanside High School. Brown said Korn was always involved in school life, and at the forefront of many initiatives, from emceeing school events to improving the district's K through 12 curriculum. He said Korn was also instrumental in advocating for the creation of Oceanside Middle School in the early 1980s.

Korn was also involved in many local organizations, including Temple Avodah, Middle Bay Country Club and the Friedberg JCC. Stuart Brenner, his close friend for more than 30 years, said Korn was always a giving person. “He was a warm and wonderful human being with a bigger-than-life status and a zest for life,” Brenner said. He was a great friend.” Brenner and Korn worked together at the JCC and at Middle Bay.