Brian Slavin, Former Yorktown Parks and Recreation Superintendent, Dies at 70

Former Yorktown Parks and Recreation Superintendent, Brian Joseph Slavin, who served the town for 32 years, died of cancer on June 28 at his home in Sleepy Hollow. He was 70.

In 1970, following his graduation from Lehman College with a Bachelor's degree in Education Recreation, he joined the Town of Yorktown Department of Recreation and remained there until he retired in 2002. During his 32 years of service he built a state of the art aquatic facility at Shrub Oak, which was named for him on his retirement. He was responsible for some of the largest expansions of programs and facilities within the Yorktown Parks and Recreation Department. He was also credited with the recreational and sporting leagues for the youth of Yorktown.

Maria Gallagher, assistant superintendent of recreation for the Town of Mamaroneck, said she worked with Slavin for nearly 20 years in Yorktown. She was on the commission board for nine years and served as the recreation supervisor for 10 years before filling in as superintendent for a brief period after Slavin's retirement.

"He was the most wonderful mentor," she said. "He was a person you could talk to very easily. He was committed to his family, and loved his wife dearly."

Although he was not a Yorktown resident, Slavin was very knowledgeable about the town and his dedication went beyond the recreation program because he truly cared about everybody, Gallagher said.

"He was so dedicated to his municipality," Gallagher said. "He really cared about the residents, this staff, and the parks and recreation. He wanted everything to be perfect."

The North Tarrytown native was a member of the first graduating class at Sleepy Hollow High School in 1958. He attended Manhattan College before joining the Navy in 1963. He was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation during his service.

Among Slavin's accomplishments were the establishment of the trails at Turkey Mountain and the summer concert series with the Lions Club, which he coordinated. He served on the board of Nor-West Regional Services, a company which provides recreational services to people with disabilities, for 26 years. He received the Peter J. Mayer Award of Merit for lifetime achievement in recreation in 2002.

Slavin's mark on the town of Yorktown would be felt for a long time, said councilman Jim Martorano, who worked with him for many years. 

"He was a wonderfully committed and dedicated professional, and to those of us who knew him he was a good friend," Martorano said. "The entire Yorktown community lost one of its finest!"

Only a few months ago, Slavin was diagnosed with cancer, which originated in his lungs and spread into his bones.

He is survived by his wife Peggy; a brother, Kevin and wife Rita of Yorktown; step-children Mary Beth and Jeff Schreier of Katonah; Anne Daly of Tarrytown and John and Regina Daly of Ossining; and three step-grandchildren, Kathleen and Michael Blair of South Grafton, Mass., and Kara and Megan Schreier of Katonah.

Wake services were held yesterday and visitations will continue today from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Coffey Funeral Home, 91 North Broadway in Tarrytown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on July 1 at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow with interment to at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.