Cyril Jewell dies, was Lindenhurst educator

Cyril Jewell Jr., a longtime educator and administrator in the Lindenhurst school district, died Jan. 15 in Tryon Estates Medical Facility in Columbus, N.C. He was 92.

Jewell, who retired in 1974, served as an English teacher, assistant principal, high school principal and central office administrator.

"The Lindenhurst School District was lucky to have someone of Cy's high caliber to rely on for many years," said Superintendent Richard Nathan. "He was described as an organized, hardworking and a dedicated member of the school district."

Born in Brooklyn, Jewell was the son of Cyril Jewell Sr. and Helen Bennett Jewell. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Air Force.

He and his wife, Lillian, married in 1946. The couple lived in Lindenhurst and Bay Shore, spending parts of years in Stuart, Fla.

Jewell held a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a master's degree from Columbia University, said Lillian, who lives in Columbus. He started working for Lindenhurst schools in the early 1950s, she said. He also worked as a guidance counselor there, she said.

"He loved working with the students and teaching," she said.

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Rhona Margolis, a former science teacher in the district, worked with Jewell.

"He was an outstanding individual," said Margolis, of Merrick. "He was worldly. He treated everyone with great dignity and he had a tremendous sense of humor."Jewell and Lillian moved to Columbus in 1997.

She said he also enjoyed reading, walking and playing the organ.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by nephew Thomas Jewell of Cary, N.C., and niece Roberta Jewell of Staten Island.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contributions may be sent to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Dr., Columbus, N.C. 28722.