Obituaries

Memorial service to honor Coastal Steward founder

A memorial service for Coastal Steward Long Island founder David Johnson will be held at the Caroline Church in Setauket on Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m.

The longtime Port Jefferson resident was born on August 30, 1958, in Duluth, Minnesota and lived most of his life on Long Island before moving nine years ago to Florida, where he died on October 16, 2022. Dave graduated from Kings Park High School in 1976 and studied Marine Biology at Southampton College.

Based in Port Jefferson, Coastal Steward Long Island is a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving and restoring Long Island’s coastal environment.

“Dave envisioned the reversal of the decline of the oyster population as a result of manmade pollution, disease and overfishing,” according to the organization’s tribute to its founder.

Twenty years ago, David spearheaded a shellfish restoration project in Mount Sinai

Harbor, which continues today. The group has been responsible for seeding more than one million oysters to date, with each mature oyster filtering 50 gallons of seawater daily.

Coastal Stewards is also dedicated to educating students on marine ecology, organizing beach clean-ups and other pollution control projects with thousands of local volunteers.

David is the son of the late Mary and LeRoy Johnson of Fort Salonga. He is survived by two daughters, Zuriah Johnson and Amanda Arden (Richard), and a son David Johnson, Jr.; siblings Julie Johnson, Susan Curtis (Scott), and Steven Johnson; seven nieces and nephews; and longtime former partner, Ana Padilla-Perez. David’s first grandchild Vivian Rose Arden was born weeks after his passing.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Coastal Steward Long Island at www.coastalsteward.org/donate.

Nancy Erhorn former Old Field resident dies at 83

Nancy Darlene Erhorn, 83, passed away March 8 in Glendale, Arizona. She was born in Longview, Washington, and raised in Phoenix; she moved to Old Field as an adult. “Mrs. Erhorn” was a math teacher for many years at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn.

She was married to Philip Erhorn for 33 years until his passing in 2006. They retired to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1997. Nancy was a lifelong Christian Scientist, most recently a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist,

Carefree-Cave Creek, Arizona. She loved teaching Sunday School and being a Reader. She also loved being a sister in the Philanthropic Educational Organization.

She was devoted to her family, friends and students and was so proud of their accomplishments. Nancy will be laid to rest with her husband on Long Island. A ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, at the St. James Episcopal Church Cemetery at 490 North Country Road, St James. All are welcome.

The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police: Man killed on the LIE when vehicle strikes tractor trailer

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a man in Hauppauge on June 12.

Brian Nieves was driving a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the middle lane of the westbound LIE at approximately 3:15 a.m. when the Jeep struck the rear of a 2012 Peterbilt tractor trailer, driven by Rafael Mercado. Nieves, 38, of Bay Shore, who was alone in his vehicle, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Mercado, 55, of Medford, who was also alone in his vehicle, was not injured.

The Jeep was impounded for a safety check. Suffolk County Police Motor Carrier Section officers conducted a safety check on the tractor trailer at the scene. The collision caused all westbound lanes near Exit 56 of the expressway to close for several hours.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call 631-854-8452. Drug manufacturing lab busted

Suffolk County Police on June 8 arrested a man who allegedly owned and operated a functioning drug manufacturing laboratory in Ronkonkoma. Fifth Precinct Patrol officers and Canine Section officers responded to a report of a burglary at Quantitative Laboratories, located on Pond Road, at approximately 3:30 a.m. While searching the premises for the burglars, officers discovered equipment and chemicals consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Following an investigation by Fifth Squad detectives, Arson Section detectives and Narcotics Section detectives, with the assistance of members of the New York State Police and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Matthew Leshinsky, the owner and operator of Quantitative Laboratories, was arrested. Significant quantities of solid and liquid methamphetamine, ketamine and cocaine were confiscated from the premises, along with approximately $40,000 in cash.

Leshinsky, 23, of 132 Sunrise Lane, Levittown, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Degree, five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree and Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine 3rd Degree.

Visit www.tbrnewsmedia.com/police for more press releases from the Suffolk County Police.

Caught On Camera

Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Wanted for Petit Larceny

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a woman who allegedly stole assorted merchandise from Stop & Shop, located at 2350 North Ocean Ave. in Farmingville, at approximately 1:35 p.m. on June 8.

Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole a Kitchenaid mixer from Macy’s, located at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, at 5:40 p.m. on May 27. The merchandise was valued at approximately $450.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.