Jeremy R. Yakavonis, 42, the night custodian for the Garrison school district, died Sept. 7 at his home in Stanfordville.
He was born on July 19, 1982, in Manhasset, Long Island, the son of Richard and Linda (Whitcomb) Yakavonis, and grew up in Maspeth, Queens.
Jeremy graduated from SUNY Alfred with an associate degree in masonry. He worked in construction for many years before joining the Garrison district in 2023. Jeremy had a passion for the outdoors and hunting and also enjoyed astronomy.
“Jeremy will be remembered as an extremely hard-working member of our staff,” Superintendent Greg Stowell wrote in a letter to the community. “He took immense pride in his work and did so with great skill. Much of what Jeremy did occurred when our students and staff weren’t around to see it. When we arrived each morning he had created an atmosphere that helped to foster a positive learning environment that felt warm and inviting each and every day.”
In addition to his parents, Jeremy is survived by his brothers, Michael Yakavonis (Kasey) and Christopher Yakavonis; three nieces, Emma, Charlotte and Hazel; and his aunt and uncles, Janice Klosek, Richard Whitcomb and David Whitcomb. His paternal grandparents, John and Mary Yakavonis, died earlier.
Family and friends will gather on Saturday (Sept. 21) from noon to 3 p.m. at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, 2 Beekman St. in Beacon. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.
