Joseph Cummings, Age 71

Joseph Cummings was a UFT member for more than 20 years, most recently teaching social studies and economics at Murry Bergtraum HS in Manhattan. He was active in the school’s mock trial program, and his team won first place in a mock trial tournament in 1981. He was a pioneer in inaugurating "Top of the Class" on Manhattan cable TV in 1985. He was an avid reader and he loved politics and his cats. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Santospirito, and his brother Edward.