Robert Dillon, Nassau BOCES superintendent, dies after complications from surgery, family says
Robert Dillon addresses a news conference at Manhasset Middle School in 2021. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Nassau BOCES District Superintendent Robert Dillon died on July 28 due to complications from spinal surgery he had in April, according to family members. He was 72.
Dillon, an educator since 1975, took over as Nassau BOCES superintendent in 2015. He is credited with leading the program through the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for better access to BOCES career and technical programs and creating a mental health consortium that serves students in Nassau County, parts of Suffolk County and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
“He always told me ‘Do what’s best for kids.’ That’s pretty much what he was all about,” said his son, Christopher Dillon, who is an assistant superintendent for business at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District. “He retired from East Meadow and came back to work at BOCES because he loved to mentor younger administrators. He even convinced me to go into education and I’m just honored I followed in his lead.”
Robert Dillon grew up in Bayside, Queens and almost became a professional baseball player when the Detroit Tigers drafted him out of Loyola High School in New York City, according to his family. Instead, Dillon went to St. John’s University in Queens, where he received his doctorate in education.
Starting out as a special-education teacher, Dillon went on to become superintendent of four school districts, East Meadow and Eastport on Long Island, as well as Sugar Loaf in Orange County and Abbott Union in Westchester County.
Jericho Schools Superintendent Henry Grishman, who knew Dillon as a colleague and friend for over 30 years, called him an “unrelenting advocate” for special education students as well as those in career and technical education programs.
"I don’t know anyone who advocated more strongly than he to ensure that special education kids received the programs and services that they needed to be successful. And in the same fashion, he was an incredible advocate for students needing and wanting careers in technical education," Grishman said.
Dillon's passing also brought condolences from Billy and Alexis Joel, who had worked with him on the revitalization of the Long Island High School for the Arts.
"We are grateful that he worked so closely with us and our foundation team to save and support the school," they said in a statement. "LIHSA is thriving and, because of Dr. Dillon, will have profound impact on generations of Long Island's young artists."
Roger Tilles, the Long Island representative on the state Board of Regents, called Dillon a "champion educator."
Dillon "championed learning for all students: those with special needs, those who wanted to pursue a career, those with a strong interest in the arts, those who were underserved," Tilles told Newsday in an email. "The people of Nassau and especially the kids have lost a devoted friend."
Dillon also taught at St. John’s University, SUNY New Paltz, St. John Fisher University in Rochester and Dowling College.
Dillon, described as a devoted family man who loved golf, camping, fishing and the New York Giants, split his time between homes in Plainview and Walden in upstate Orange County. He died at NYU Langone's Tisch Hospital in Manhattan.
Dillon is survived by his wife, Patricia Maureen (Patty); son, Christopher, and daughter-in-law, Jessica; grandchildren, Kylie and Brendan; daughters, Deirdre and Caitlin; brothers, Matthew, Terrance, Dennis and Kevin; and sister, Maureen.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home in Garden City. A funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation.
Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.
