Two long-time members of the TC community passed away the last week of June. Dominic Gennaro, who worked as lead electrician in the Facilities Department, passed away on June 28; and Emily Fortis, who worked in TC's Purchasing Department, passed away on June 30.

Gennaro had been an electrician since 1997. Randy Glazer, Director of Human Resources, wrote of Gennaro in a TC-wide e-mail announcement, "His technical expertise, knowledge, dedication, loyalty, friendship and spirit of cooperation will be deeply missed."

Fortis, who worked in the Teachers College Bookstore as well as the Purchasing Department, had been employed by the College since 1985. An active member of the TC community, she served on this year's committee to recognize TC's Long Term Service honorees. In a community-wide email, Glazer wrote, "Her contributions to her department and the TC community will be deeply missed."

In response to the unexpected deaths, the Office for Diversity and Community Affairs organized two support gatherings, on July 1 and July 2, in a Thompson conference room, to provide a space for the TC community to congregate, share thoughts and feelings, or reflect quietly on the lives of the two TC community members, who gave years of valued service to the College.