Paul Lindner Sr., who spent over 30 years as a member of the faculty at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, has died.
Lindner, of Queens Village, was 67 when he succumbed to the effects of COVID-19 on Jan. 10, the school said in a Facebook post. He had been diagnosed with the disease three weeks prior to his death and had been in an intensive care unit, they said.
Born Mar. 25, 1953, the school says that before his tenure at St. Mary’s, Lindner worked in the Diocese of Brooklyn for several years.
He began as a teacher in the school’s religion department in 1988 and remained in the position for the next several decades. After school, Lindner led the extracurricular activities the Music Club and Chess Club.
Lindner also served as an adjunct professor in the theology department at St. John’s University in Jamaica.
“His students always spoke of what a kind man he was, and teaching at St. Mary’s brought him immense joy to share our faith with his students,” the school said. “He had a positive attitude that truly shined inside and outside of the classroom.”
In the comments below the school’s announcement of his death, Lindner was referred to as “an angel of a man.”
“He was truly my favorite teacher at St. Mary’s,” one wrote. “He helped me get through a very dark time in my teenage years. I will forever cherish all of my memories.”
“Mr. Linder taught me at St. Mary’s and again at St. John’s when I ended up in his class after changing my major to theology,” another said. “His class at SMHS totally helped me breeze through my courses at SJU.”
“Such a kind man, I loved going to chess club after school and having fun and laughing with him and everyone there,” a third wrote. “One of my favorite teachers of all time.”
“A phenomenal religion teacher,” a fourth said. “I used to drop off the guidance passes at his homeroom every morning and he always took the time to say hello. He really cared about his students.”
As a faculty member, Lindner was frequently asked about himself in the school’s yearbook Gael, where he shared that his favorite food was eggplant parmigiana; that he enjoyed reading, skating, and skiing; and that he once took room service to Johnny Cash.
In the 1999 edition of Gael, Lindner was asked to name his most prized possession.
“[My greatest possession is] my faith!” Lindner replies. “It causes me great joy, and it is my strength in times of trouble.”
Lindner is survived by his son Paul Jr.; the mother of his son, Jo Anne; and his extended family. He was buried on Jan. 14 at St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries in West Babylon.
