Photos courtesy of West Islip School District
West Islip School District held a dedication in honor of longtime West Islip educator Harold “Hal” Anderson on Oct. 8 joined by family, friends, board of education members and central office administrators. The community gathered to unveil the newly named Hal Anderson Way at the driveway of Udall Road Middle School.
Udall Road Middle School Principal Daniel Marquardt welcomed guests to the dedication ceremony and spoke about Anderson’s career. He began teaching in West Islip in 1980 and remained there for more than 24 years until his retirement in June 2005. During his tenure in the district, he served as an assistant principal at West Islip High School and eventually became principal at Udall Road Middle School.
Anderson and his wife, Mary, were West Islip residents for more than 50 years. During that time, they raised seven children, all of whom graduated from West Islip High School. Anderson served as the president of the West Islip Association of School Administrators, chairman of the Middle School Transition Committee and a member of the West Islip Lionheart Committee. He coached Little League baseball and basketball, was a member of the West Islip Athletic Booster Club, the West Islip High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and West Islip American Legion.
“His way was subtle in that he was always making people, making the community, better,” Marquardt said. “It was the profound positive impact he had on people’s lives that defines his legacy. Hal shaped lives; he gave hope when things seemed hopeless; he gave guidance when people were lost; and he motivated people to work to their full potential. He was a true lion for life.”
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