Neal Feldman Bench

Mr. Neal Feldman was a remarkable educator.  He began teaching at St. Bernard’s in 2005, and he taught Grade VI and history until he passed away in September 2011.  On November 21, 2012, St. Bernard’s Old Boys, faculty, students, and parents gathered in Central Park with friends and family of Neal Feldman for a bench dedication ceremony in his memory.  The Junior Old Boys raised the funds for the bench.

It was a sunny and unseasonably warm fall day.  School had been dismissed early for Thanksgiving holiday, and young boys in blue blazers played ball in the green park field.  It was the type of setting that Mr. Feldman would have appreciated while grading papers on his favorite bench in Central Park.

Around noon, Junior Old Boys, who were home for the holiday, created a swarm with teachers on 98th Street.  The crowd walked together across Fifth Avenue and along a Central Park walkway towards a bench with its arms strung with red and white balloons.  Upon arrival at the bench, gatherers peered closer to read and take pictures of the plaque on its backrest.

The plaque is inscribed with the following:

Our beloved teacher and friend

Neal Feldman

1956-2011

Sat many an afternoon on this bench

Watching his boys rush from

Classroom to playing field.

We shall never forget you.

From his Old Boys and

Friends at St. Bernard’s School

Mr. Evan Moraitis addressed the crowd gathered there to remember and celebrate the life of Mr. Feldman.  Mr. Moraitis explained that the bench dedication was a thoughtful tribute because Mr. Feldman liked to grade papers on a sunny bench close to the field where boys played during P.E.  Mr. Moraitis elaborated that Mr. Feldman enjoyed being in the light and around the action in many ways.  He said that if Mr. Feldman were to see the bench’s discreet plaque himself, he would question, “When do you think this plaque will grow up?”  Being on the mark, those who knew Mr. Feldman smiled.

The St. Bernard’s community misses Mr. Feldman tremendously, and the Central Park bench serves as a place to remember him as we knew him.  If you would like a map of the Neal Feldman bench in Central Park, please contact Elise Rose in the development office.