School Board Trustee Dies At 55
/By Arielle Dollinger
adollinger@longislandergroup.com
Pictured: James Robins.
Following a 25-year career as an anesthesiologist and a 2012 lymphoma diagnosis, Cold Spring Harbor Board of Education Vice President James Robins, 55, died on Jan. 4.
“We are all saddened by the untimely passing of Dr. James Robins,” a statement posted on the school district’s website reads. “James was incredibly proud and committed to our schools and worked diligently throughout his valiant battle with cancer to fulfill his responsibilities as a board member.”
School board Trustee Robert Hughes said that Robins’ “overall dedication to the school” is what stands out to him.
“He was just extremely dedicated, and passionate about education,” Hughes said on Tuesday. “Some people maybe just are putting in time, but he was very serious about trying to make the school better for the kids.”
Robins was one who was involved in each aspect of the school system, Hughes said — athletics, academics, extracurricular activities — and worked toward making the school district better.
“He had strong opinions and wasn’t shy about sharing them,” Hughes said.
Robins, who grew up in Brooklyn, worked in anesthesiology. According to a press release by the North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA), Robins worked as an attending anesthesiologist at both Long Island Jewish Medical Center and the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York. He attended State University of New York Downstate Medical Center and completed fellowships in Cardiac and Pediatric Anesthesia at Brooklyn’s Health Science Center.
“Those of us who were fortunate enough to know and work with James have lost a friend and an inspiring colleague,” NAPA CEO John Di Capua said in a press release. “His love of life, dedication to his patients and commitment to family and community leave a legacy that will stand the test of time. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.”
Robins is survived by his wife, Connie, and two sons.
Services were held at Gutterman’s with interment at Pinelawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
