Commack Nursing Home Residents Graduate From Adult Education Program

COMMACK, NY - A total of 35 residents from the Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center received their diplomas at the 29th Annual Gurwin Adult Education Graduation Ceremony last week.

The ceremony, which honored the residents aged 66 to 96, took place on June 14 at the at the Gurwin Center on 68 Hauppauge Road.

US Army/Air Force veteran Irving Fuchs was named class Valedictorian while US Navy veteran Freddie Digiacomo was named class Salutatorian.

Both delivered their respective addresses during the event.

Fuchs, 96, formerly of Queens, graduated from high school in 1937, but did not continue on to college due to family obligations.

Instead, he took a job to help his parents, working in a millinery for 30 cents per hour.

In 1942, Irving enlisted in the Army/Air Force, and flew 75 combat missions during World War II; he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the nation's second highest award for military valor, for “heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.”

He retired from a 40-year career with the US Postal Service and has lived at Gurwin since 2012.

Digiacomo, 88, formerly of Bayport, dropped out of high school to help his family’s bakery business when his two brothers left to fight in World War II.

He later joined the Navy, and never had a chance to complete his formal education.

Now a resident at Gurwin, Freddie eagerly attends the Center’s Adult Education classes, which he says gave him the ability to keep his mind sharp and make new friends.

As part of the program, students completed one course per month from September to April, including “The History of New York,” “Understanding the Inventions that Changed the World,” and “Extreme Weather,” as well as programs in art and culture.

Courses were taught by Center staff. Each September residents vote, choosing the curriculum from a list of topics; staff members research the topics in order to plan the coursework.

“Tonight’s commencement ceremony is a testament to the will and determination of a generation that values hard work, sacrifice… and education," Herbert H. Friedman, CEO of Gurwin Center said. "Their perseverance and commitment serves as a sign to us all that learning is a lifelong journey, that personal and intellectual growth is achievable into the golden years. We are proud of the accomplishments of our remarkable residents.”

On hand to congratulate the graduates were Huntington Town Councilwomen Susan A. Berland and Tracey A. Edwards, and representatives from Senator John Flanagan’s and Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci’s offices, who presented the graduates with certificates.

The ceremony closed with a “graduates’ cheer,” including the tossing of caps in celebration of their achievement.