Letters

Outpouring Of LoveIt will be one year since Father’s Day, 2018, when my husband, the Reverend Marvin Dozier, took his last breath, surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, close relatives and some of his best friends. It still feels like yesterday.

The communities of Southampton, Riverhead and Mattituck have embraced us in ways that I could never have imagined. It was a true representation of your love for my husband and our family.

Thank you to the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital staff, Dr. Deepali Sharma, the nurses at the New York Cancer & Blood Specialists Center, and the at-home nurses. A special thank you to Dr. James Giugliano, who was always available to us as a doctor and, most meaningfully, as a friend.

To the staff of the Southampton School District—you not only had a strong turnout at the services but also supported our family throughout his illness. A special thank you to all of my colleagues at Southampton Elementary School.

The Southampton Youth Association family has always been family. We know you also are grieving and we appreciate the various ways you extended yourselves and showed up for us. A special thank you to Carl Davis, Jalal Duroseau, Emily Bishop and Rachel Bishop.

Dr. Richard “Junie” Wingfield and Herm Lamison, it goes without saying … friendship is so very special.

To all East End clergy (especially the Reverend Cornelius Fulford and the Reverend Sam Fulford, the Reverend Leslie Duroseau, Bishop Frederick Harrington, the Reverend Dr. Connie Jones, the Reverend and Mrs. Tommy Edmond, and the East End Baptist clergy), thank you for making such a difficult time a bit easier.

Thank you to the Reverend Charles A. Coverdale of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead, who gave the most respectful eulogy, and the Reverend Cynthia Liggon. Shirley Coverdale, my sister in Christ, your friendship and support also is appreciated.

To Father Alex Karloutsos and Father Constantine Lazarakis of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, how gracious you were. You are amazing.

To our dear friend John Johnson, and to everyone who sent food, gifts and gift cards … thank you for recognizing that, when grieving, sometimes we forget to meet our basic needs. We appreciate you.

Thank you to Dominick Abbate, at Brockett’s Funeral Home, and the staff at the Calverton Cemetery.

Lastly, to The Press, thank you for paying homage to Rev. Dozier [“The Reverend Marvin Dozier Remembered For Work In Community and Church,” 27east.com, June 20, 2018] through interviews, stories about his past and about our family moving forward.

There was such an outpouring of love, concern, empathy and kindness that I cannot possibly name everyone. You all have shown to be our extended family!

Please keep us in your prayers and keep in touch.

Sandra Dozier and the Dozier familySouthampton