Some were sudden and tragic, others marked a quiet end to long and accomplished lives.
Here's a look back at who we lost in 2012:
Joseph M. Reilly: Glen Cove's mayor from 1962-'66, Reilly continued his political career with five terms in the state Assembly.
Lew Bodi: Power outages after Sandy led to a fire that took the life of a resident who had lived to learn, and to allow others the opportunity to do the same.
Jeffrey Rozran: The Syosset Teachers' Union president died of lung cancer. He spoke out about using standardized test scores to evaluate teachers.
Sister Jackie Walsh: The St. Edward the Confessor parishioner was killed in a hit-and-run accident, but would "want to see mercy extended to the individual who took her life," according to a deacon who worked with her.
Harry Jacobson: The Massapequa Park Village trustee had a long career serving the village in various roles. He died in June.
Peter Schmitt: Massapequa had been represented by Peter Schmitt in the Nassau County Legislature since there's been a Nassau County Legislature. Schmitt died suddenly on the job in October.
Spencer Reis: The Plainview teen received an outpouring of support from his friends and community during and after his battle with leukemia.
Charlotte Fein: Plainview mom and family business entrepreneur loved to dance, said her children.
