Wayne P. Mammina, age 70, passed away on December 9, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 3, 1948 to Joseph and Eleanor Mammina in Manhattan and grew up in Rocky Point. Wayne worked as a teacher in the Rocky Point school district for over thirty years, including as a third grade teacher and a science teacher for fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. Wayne especially enjoyed teaching science, and received many recognitions and awards for his unique hands-on science program, including Teacher of the Year from the Suffolk County Science Teachers Association, the Chemical Manufacturers Association Catalyst Award (for encouraging girls to pursue scientific studies, and the first time this award was given to an elementary school teacher), and the New York State Science Teachers Association Excellence in Science Teaching Award, for which he appeared in The New York Times. His teaching career also gave him the opportunity to meet Deanna D’Alauro Lanza, a fellow third grade teacher, and they were married in 1984. Wayne also served in the Army National Guard. Wayne helped to rescue many turtles and seals over the years when he volunteered with the Okeanos Foundation, and assisted Okeanos with whale research through many whale watching trips off Montauk Point. He was also a history buff, and in recent years he served as a docent for the Noah Hallock House (the oldest house in Rocky Point). Wayne will be greatly missed by his wife Deanna, his daughters Laura (Mark) and Elizabeth (Paolo), and step-daughters Renee (Andrew) and Kim (Bobby), as well as grandchildren and step-grandchildren Lily, Danny, Maria, Gabriella, Andrew and Anthony. Reposing at O.B. Davis Funeral Homes, 1001 Route 25A, Miller Place. Visitation Tuesday, December 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass Wednesday, December 12 at 9:30 am at Saint Anthony of Padua R.C. Church 614 25A, Rocky Point.
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