August 2017
On February 4, 2017, Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School Class of 2008 alumnus, Garrett Kassler, succumbed to the insidious disease that plagued him for several years. The bright, charming, handsome, exuberant soul that was Garrett, left behind a loving family and countless friends, in shock by his unfathomable passing.
As Garrett’s high school principal, I was fortunate enough to get to know him quite well over the years he was a student at POBJFK, but for no other reason than because he was someone everyone, including myself, wanted to know and be around. His tremendous smile and great laugh were infectious, and his wonderful sense of humor could brighten the darkest day. He was friends with everyone; no peer group was excluded from his kind and welcoming heart. Knowing Garrett, one would have thought there was nothing he couldn’t achieve or overcome, which is an important reminder to us all of the great strength drug abuse has on the human body. Through Garrett’s battle with the disease, he learned the value of a strong support system, and vowed to help others as his life mission.
Unfortunately, Garrett was not able to fulfill his dream of helping others directly, however his passing will not be in vain. As the Kassler family has chosen to commit their efforts to carry on with the work Garrett was just starting, for the sake of helping others beat drug abuse, we present the Garrett L. Kassler Memorial Fund.
Please join the Kassler family in fulfilling Garrett’s dream, while helping others by supporting this very worthy cause. You can make a difference and be a part of the fight against drug abuse!
With gratitude,
James Murray – Principal
Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School.
