John Bligh
- Teacher
- Long Island City HS, Queens
Roy Pikser’s colleagues are prepared for a big void at Long Island City HS when it reopens. “Our building will not be the same,” said fellow teacher Laura Parker.
“There has been an outpouring of grief by the school community in the last few days,” Chapter Leader Megan Howard said, because Roy always put “Long Island City HS at the top of his priority list.”
Roy, 59, died of coronavirus on April 23.
He was a teacher for 36 years and spent the last 25 years teaching industrial arts, including technology, at Long Island City. He ran one of the last school printing shops and in recent years was teaching video production.
Roy arrived in 1995 when the school’s current building opened. He was an early bird, the first one to the building most days, always sitting on the front steps and welcoming staff.
Said Parker: “I’ve been on a number of calls this week where the overall sentiment was that Roy just always thought of others. Every teacher who shared memories of Roy began with their first day of teaching, when Roy would take it upon himself to be the welcoming committee. Afterward, he was always there to guide them and always asked, ‘What do you need?’ Roy was kind and caring and he had an uncanny way of quickly sizing up your emotions. And the students looked up to him.”
Ken Achiron, a retired former chapter leader, said, “Roy was always willing to add to his own work to help colleagues and students.”
And Achiron said he could always “count on Roy for the chapter. Even when we disagreed, we agreed on what was good for the chapter.”
Through a program coordinated by the UFT Teacher Center, Roy trained teachers working toward master’s degrees in instructional technology from the New York Institute of Technology, and several Long Island City staff members were his students. One of them, Matthew Malench, is now an assistant principal at the school. “Roy was an innovator in technology education, always striving to find new ways to further his practice,” Malench said.
Rita Danis, a Teacher Center co-director, was his student in two classes at PS 19 in Manhattan. “He was an amazing teacher with an expertise in instructional technology that he shared with so many teachers,” she said.
Achiron remembered Roy wheeling his mother, Yetta Pikser, a former paraprofessional and UFT delegate, around local and state union functions when she was confined to a wheelchair after a fall.
Roy, who was known for his quirky sense of humor, also was passionate about board games. He recently started an after-school gaming club and donated dozens of games.
Debbie Pikser said her husband and their son Zachary, who is 17 and a high school senior, were “one person.”
In addition to his wife and son, Roy is survived by his brother, Larry Pikser.
Condolences can be sent to:
The Pikser Family
67 Elm Drive North
Levittown, NY 11756
Roy Pikser was definitely Mr. LIC!
He loved the school, the kids, ( utmost priority), his work. He was always there to help wherever, whenever, whomever!.
I used his expertise when designing the playbill for my dance shows! His suggestions were top notch.
My condolences go to his family, his wife Debbie, son Zachary, brother Larry.
Roy was a good man, a mensch!
Rest In Peace, my former colleague.
It really sucks.he was a good guy.my prayers go out to his family
This is crazy, he was such a good teacher and such a good listener. Pikser you will definitely be missed, I like your class lessons and all these crazy jokes we’ve made
To hear this news, as his former student and now a teacher, it breaks my heart. Mr. Pikser was always willing to help, he always asked me if I needed anything. I learned a lot from him not just from being part of his class but I learned a lot about being myself. His jokes and humor always reminds me of the good times I had at LICHS. He will always be remembered for that and his volleyball tie! He found out I was on the team and one day came in with the tie. Definitely the best tie I’ve seen by far! My condolences to his family during this time. My family and I are hoping that you find the strength to continue forward and continue his legacy.
With love,
Evelyn Florentino
My heart aches, as we lost another wonderful dedicated educator.My deepest sympathies and prays go out to his family . Rest in peace …God help us all..
Roy was an amazing man and teacher. He was kind and considerate. His personality was such a bright light that made our day. I loved hearing him speak about his son. He adored him.
He will be missed and remembered always. RIP my friend.
It is only now for the first time seeing Roy’s face since the terrible news that I am moved to words. When I received the news of Roy’s passing I was completely numb. This entire school year I have not had one discussion with Roy about anything. We just did not cross paths this year and that is the case sometimes in such a large school as Long Island City.
Roy was one of the very first teachers to show me the ropes at LIC way back in 1998 when I first started working for the Board of Ed. Jose Delgado who I am still in touch with today, was my very first student. “Mr. Pikser” was his shop teacher for printing. Jose loved the class because Roy was amazing with him.
He was so attentive to Jose’s needs as a physically challenged student. Roy had an amazing way of making Jose feel like just one of the other kids while simultaneously making him feel special in a way that was unique and genuine. He let Jose have his run of the shop and bent over backwards to help him in any way he needed.
Watching Roy’s approach to special needs students was the first valuable lesson I had learned from a seasoned professional mentoring me and giving me priceless advice. Roy Pikser taught me to have compassion for those who needed it most and I am forever grateful for having the opportunity of his wisdom and friendship.
Our final conversation was about a year ago talking about the upcoming summer plans. He was discussing the activities his son was going to do at some camp out in Long Island I believe. He always had a glow when he spoke of his son throughout the years. This time around I was a new father and I was able to understand his feelings much more in-depth.
That last conversation will always resonate with me when I think of Roy.
Rest In Peace my old friend.
James Medina
Mr. Pikser was one of the kindest and funniest teachers I’ve had during my senior year in Long Island City High School. It was a plasure to have had him as a teacher for video and printing class. I will always remember him for his sense of humor and help. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers for his family
I am so saddened to learn that Mr. Pikser passed away. He was a strong piller of help of help to those who were handicapped. He always welcomed those who were unable to understand their lessons due do their handicap. He would modify his lessons so they would be able to understand what would ne expected of the class and he was always appreciated of his paras. We will miss him and may he rest in peace. God Bless you Mr. Pizer.
I am saddened to learn of Roy’s passing. I remember how attentive he was to his mother when she became ill. Yetta and I were friends and co-workers at PS207 in District 27. My sincere condolences to the family and colleagues