Alan Henry Ackerman of Nokomis, Florida, and Formerly of Hampton Bays, Dies April 15

Alan Henry Ackerman of Nokomis, Florida, died peacefully on April 15. He was 81.

He was born on May 8, 1941, in Freeport, New York, to Helen and Alan H. Ackerman. He studied education at the State University of New York at Fredonia. His teaching career started in Massapequa, at the sixth-grade level. This is the school where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Ackerman, who was also a recent college graduate in the field of education.

They moved to Hampton Bays to further their education careers and to start a family. Ackerman continued his education, earning his master’s degree from Southampton College. He taught for nearly 30 years at Hampton Bays Elementary School, where he was fondly known as Mr. A. He is considered one of the best educators that the Hampton Bays School District has ever employed, his family said, and in 1995, he was nominated for the teacher of the year award. He also spearheaded the adult ed program for Hampton Bays.

Aside from educating, Ackerman’s other passion was traveling. The couple spanned the globe multiple times over, his family said.

He had an unquenchable appetite for adventure, they said. This appetite took them on some amazing journeys to Egypt, Australia, Thailand, Japan, Europe … to name just a few. When they were not traveling the world, Ackerman could be found sitting on the beach reading or spending time with loved ones.

Ackerman was known for his positive outlook on life and was always focused on doing the right thing, his family said.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Kathleen Ackerman, of Nokomis, Florida; his two children, Kimberly Sue Vaughn and her husband Kyle and Scott Alan Ackerman and his wife Corrie Ackerman; his grandchildren, Sera Vaughn and Christie Ackerman; and his nephew, Johnny Gosman. He was predeceased by his sister Jean Gosman.

The Alan Ackerman Education Scholarship has been created for a Hampton Bays High School senior. Donations may be sent to Hampton Bays UFSD, Attn: Alan Ackerman Education Scholarship, 86 Argonne Road E., Hampton Bays, NY 11946

Ackerman often used an acronym with his children/students when growing up: “UGJ” — Use Good Judgment.