STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The corner of Fisher Avenue between Amboy Road and Craig Avenue has been co-named Deacon John A. Singler II Street in memory of a lifelong educator who dedicated his life to the welfare of his students.
Throughout his career, his intelligence, wit and ability to connect with young adults contributed to turning around the lives of hundreds
At the street co-naming for Deacon John A. Singer II, are from the left, Glenn Yost, representing Senator Andrew Lanza, City Councilman Frank Morano, Caroline Singer, Judith Singler, Kevin Singler, Deacon Richard Salhany (rear), Rosemary Singler, Shawna Singler, John Singler III, Deacon Richard Mitchell, Sophie Singler and Assemblyman Mike Reilly. (Courtesy/Offie of City Councilman Frank Morano)Staten Island Advance
Deacon Singler married Judith Nora Devaney on June 17, 1961 and the couple relocated from Brooklyn to Tottenville in 1967.
Deacon Singler was a dad of four, John (Shawna), Caroline, Timothy (Sharon) and Rosemary; grandfather to six, Ryan (Kelly), Allyson, Kevin (Carlie), Nicholas, Olivia (Dan) and Timothy, and great-grandfather to six, Luke, Hudson, Layla, Logan, Sloane and Rory.
Cardinal John O’Connor blesses the altar in the new Our Lady Help of Christians during the dedication mass. With the cardinal is Deacon John Singler. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance
LITTLE ABOUT DEACON JOHN
Deacon Singler was born in Brooklyn and raised on Staten Island.
He received a Catholic education beginning with Our Lady Queen of Peace Elementary School, followed by Augustinian Academy High School and St. Francis College.
He earned his master’s degree in education from Wagner College, which would become an asset serving him throughout his career.
His lifelong passion for education began when he was a teacher at Staten Island Academy.
Deacon Richard Salhany, second from left, and Deacon John Singler, second from right, are joined by, from left, Father Sahayaraj Arokiasamy, parochial vicar, Father Frank Dias, pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians R.C. Church, and Monsignor Peter Finn, co-vicar of Staten Island in 2013.advance
Deacon Singler spent the next 32 years as a teacher for the Board of Education, primarily at Barnes Intermediate School, from its opening until his retirement in 1994.
He maintained a number of positions including that of teacher, coach, counselor and dean of discipline.
Although he attempted to retire, he was repeatedly called back into the world of education to continue his career of service, according to Deacon Richard Salhany of St. Clare R.C. Church, where he also serves as parish manager.
Deacon Singler also taught at St. Patrick’s Elementary School and at St. Joseph by-the Sea High School and went on to assume the role of principal at St. Rita’s School.
While Deacon Singler made another attempt at retirement, he was once again tapped into a principal role.
This time it was at his home parish of Our Lady Help of Christians where he successfully served the Tottenville school and eventually retired from the world of academics.
Deacon John Singler, left, of Our Lady Help of Christians and a resident of Tottenville, conducts a deaconate class at St. Josephs by the Sea which is attended by Larry Droge of Bay Terrace, second left,Steve Tobon of Oakwood, center, and Richard and Connie Salhany of Tottenville. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance
FAITH WAS HIS GUIDE
Deeply rooted in his Catholic faith, from his earliest days he was inspired by his mother and regularly attended Mass and went to confession every Saturday.
He also understood the value of service to others which would become his guiding principle.
Deacon Singler was a member of Our Lady Help of Christians for more than 55 years.
Deacon Salhany added it was during those years that his spirituality grew and he would receive the calling for a deeper service to his faith as a permanent deacon.
After years of formation, in 1988, under the direction of the Cardinal John Joseph O’Connor, Deacon Singler was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of New York. He served the community of Tottenville in that capacity for 36 years.
He served the parish each week at Mass and was renowned for his homilies.
Deacon Singler had the gift of reaching individuals by taking a Gospel story and relating it to real life.
“People would leave and say how the message of the Gospel spoke ‘right to their hearts,’” Deacon Salhany continued.
Sophie Selwood of the Office of Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon, center, presents a Certificate of Recognition to, from the left, Judy Singler, Kevin Singler, Shawna Singler, John Singler III, Caroline Singler, and Rosemary Singler. (Courtesy/Office of City Councilman Frank Morano)Staten Island Advance
His homilies were never written on paper, but rather “inspired by the Holy Spirit. It was a charism that cannot be acquired, but a grace that is given to special individuals.”
He also provided the sacraments for the parishioners including Baptism, Communion, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, presiding at weddings and serving at wakes and funerals.
He was popular with the children and became known for presenting a holy coin of a saint upon greeting parishioners.
To this day, worshipers still carry his coin of St. Vincent or St. Joseph.
Older parishioners were also fond of him and would ask in advance for him to be the one who presided over their funerals.
Deacon Singler continued to use his gift of “teaching” and personally taught the Baptism class for first-time parents for over 20 years.
He and his wife, Judy, were one of two couples who taught natural family planning to engaged couples.
They educated hundreds of couples for over 30 years.
He also was known throughout the diocese of New York where he and his wife were active in the Marriage Encounter Ministry.
According to Father Frank Dias, pastor emeritus of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, “I had the privilege work working with Deacon Singler during my two assignments at Our Lady Help of Christians. He was a wonderful and faithful man who dedicated his life to the service of others. I had complete trust in him with anything as I knew he was a man of God….”
Deacon Richard Mitchell offers a blessing as City Councilman Frank Morano and the family of Deacon John A. Singler look on. (Courtesy/Office of City Councilman Frank Morano)Staten Island Advance
He was CYO Teen Federation Advisor (accompanying the children to World Youth Day in Italy), a member of the Knights of Columbus, a recipient of the O.L.H. C. Centennial Recognition Award, a supporter of 9/11 families, a supporter of Superstorm Sandy victims, especially the Dresch Family, taught confirmation and sexuality classes Archdiocese-wide, was a sports coach for swimming and track and an all around, lifelong community leader.
QUOTES FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS
Councilman Frank Morano: “Deacon Singler was a pillar of the Tottenville community. He not only led and assisted people spiritually, but when times of crisis, such as Hurricane Sandy occurred, he helped organize supplies and clothing for those in need. I am honored to have passed this co-naming as one of my first acts after being sworn in earlier this year. I hope this sign brings even more people to know who Deacon Singler was, so even more people can emulate him.”
Councilman Frank Morano addresses the crowd at the street co-naming for Deacon John Singler II. (Courtesy/Office of City Councilman Frank Morano)Staten Island Advance
Assemblyman Mike Reilly: “May each person who passes this sign remember the impact Deacon Singler had on this community and may anyone who did not know of him, now learn about him to be inspired to continue his good works.”
In a joint statement, John III, Caroline and Rosemary Singler said: “This is an incredible blessing and honor for our father and family. For such a humble person to be honored this way is ironic, but will bring joy to our family, friends and neighbors each day going forward. We thank Councilman Frank Morano for passing this legislation to make this co-naming happen.”
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