Joy Squires, a retired Elwood teacher and former chair of the Conservation Board and Environmental Open Space and Park Fund, died Saturday.
Last year, The Town of Huntington renamed Manor Plains Nature Park Thursday in her honor.
“Joy was an amazing volunteer who served the Town as past chair and member of the Conservation Board for over 40 years, the Environmental Open Space and Park Fund (EOSPA) Committee for over 20 years, and the Greenway Trails Committee since its inception,” the Huntington Democratic Committee wrote on Facebook. “Her friendship and partnership with town supervisors, directors, Board/Committee and staff members are unparalleled. She led and participated in efforts that resulted in many of the environmental programs, activities and regulations that are now mainstream in Huntington.”
New York United Teachers said she had received several awards for environmental and volunteer service: Times Woman of the Year in Environment; the NYS Margery Sachs Award for Lifetime Environmental Service; Suffolk County Volunteer of the Year; the John Klaber Award for Distinguished and Exceptional Voluntary Service; Huntington Environmental Woman of the Year; Vision Long Island’s Smart Growth Award; and the Green Sages Award.
“Joy imbued all of the very best traits of an inspired leader, vision, passion and persistence. On top of that, her persona was ever faithful to her name as she always filled with a sense of joy. I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with Joy Squires. Her mark on Huntington is indelible,” Councilwoman Joan Cergol said.
A family remembrance will be held at her home in January. A tree planting and hike in her memory will be planned for the spring. More details of these memorials will follow.