Five months ago this week, Corey Swinson passed away of natural causes at age 43. At six feet five, three hundred and thirty five pounds, his physical prowess was only exceeded by the deeds and accomplishments that endeared him to his family and all who loved and admired him.

Corey grew up in Bay Shore, Long Island, the youngest of ten, raised by hands-on parents whose example inspired him and his brothers and sisters, all of whom prospered and became valued members of their communities.

Corey graduated from Bay Shore High School in 1988. He starred in basketball and played football briefly.

He entered Hampton College in Virginia, studied social work and played football. During his three years at Hampton the team’s record was 31-4-1. Cory made 144 tackles. He played in the Senior Bowl and was the seventh round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1995. He spent the season with the St. Louis Rams.

Corey retired from football and returned to Bay Shore where he worked as private security for several NBA stars before changing jobs after his son Messiah, now an 8th grader in Bay Shore Middle School, was born. Corey became head of security for the Bay Shore School District from 2002 to 2012. At the time of his death, Corey was Director of School Safety and Security for Copiague Public Schools.

Evelyn Blouse Holman, retired Superintendent of the Bay Shore Schools, told Newsday: “No one was more caring or committed to the young people in our schools than Corey. He was certainly a role model.”

Corey also coached youth football. His son meant the world to him. Messiah plays defensive tackle in the football youth program, his dad’s position, and wears his number, 90.

I grew up and lived in the Bay Shore/Brightwaters area for most of my 81 years before moving to Essex, CT, and attended Bay Shore Schools through freshman year. After retiring in 1995, I started a program where my alma mater Phillips Academy Andover provided Summer Session scholarships for 31 deserving students from Bay Shore and neighboring communities. I got to know Corey. We worked together in the mentoring program.

He exemplified the spirit of a town that had taken its lumps – with the advent of malls and shopping centers and the ensuing empty storefronts downtown – but was determined to rise again.

A number of willing hands and strong leaders from every corner of Bay Shore and Brightwaters and every facet would not take “no” for an answer. Today Bay Shore is experiencing a dramatic comeback. Along with the bricks and mortar that rebuilt and repaved our town, the rekindled spirit of our citizens was led by the example of people like Corey.

Michael Cohen, former Brentwood School Superintendent and former Assistant and Director Of Curriculum at Bay Shore High School and now Editorial Director of BK Nation, delivered this tribute:

Corey Swinson, A Remembrance!

“Corey Swinson was a force of nature. For those who knew him and loved him – and there were countless folks who did – we know that we will never see his like again.

“High school athlete, intercollegiate athlete, NFL player, personal bodyguard, school safety director, and most of all, single father of a 13 year-old young man, Corey played many rolls… all with distinction. At 6’ 5’’ and around 375 pounds, he could not be missed. If you traveled anywhere from 125th street in Harlem to Montauk Point with him, someone would recognize Corey and hug him effusively. He was that charismatic.

“Aside from his prodigious physical gifts, Corey Swinson demonstrated keen intellect and an unquenchable thirst for learning. In fact, in one of his last conversations he discussed the President’s upcoming speech on Syria.

“Corey used twitter on occasion. In his own words, the last two weeks of Corey’s life:

‘Heaven is my mother’s back yard, with my brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces, my son and of course my mom. Fish frying, ice cold beer and lots of luv.’

‘Relationships should be a duet not a duel.’

‘Watching Patty Lupone on HBO’s A Young Arts Master Class. Amazing!’

‘OK, I finally found the combination of fruits and vegetables that I’m going to juice and enjoy consistently. Spinach and apple is the real deal.’

‘Gotta be disciplined for this to work.’

‘Not sure what Obama is doing, but it has me concerned. The last thing we need is 2 b engaged in more warfare. There has to be another way.’

‘That first series exhausted me. The Eagles may have something here.’

“Exhausted? Corey was never exhausted. He exhausted those of us who knew him and loved him. May he be granted his own definition of heaven… surrounded by his loved ones in his mother’s backyard!” – Michael Cohen

Last year Corey earned the Special Recognition Award from the Suffolk County Detectives Association.

Dr. Boyce Watkins, Finance Professor at Syracuse University and Founder of Your Black World Coalition, and a leading Black Scholar in the world, said of Corey, “He is responsible for creating one of the best black history month programs in the country. He believed that it is important for black youths to know their history and made it his life’s mission to make a difference.”

Michael Cohen is right. “We will never see his like again!” A gentle gentleman!