Outside I.S. 238 in Hollis, Queens on Monday, hundreds turned out with candles in hand for a vigil to honor Assistant Principal Mitchell Wiener, who was the first death from the H1N1 flu outbreak.

"Everyone respected him. That's why you see such a large turnout today," said former student Ashley Schwartz.

Wiener started working at the school as a teacher more than 30 years ago and most recently served as assistant principal. He died Sunday night from H1N1-related complications.

Four students in the school also have confirmed cases of H1N1 flu.

"It's been a nightmare that I thought I was going to wake up from but unfortunately its going to be my reality," said Bonnie Wiener, Mitchell's wife of 28 years.

She says her husband loved his job and that he never wanted to take a vacation. She told the students who showed up to remember his dedication.

"You know, Mr. Wiener may have been tough on some of you but he loved all of you. He really did," said Bonnie Wiener.

Wiener's widow initially criticized the city for waiting to close this school even after numerous students started turning up sick.

She's also denying the claim by the city health commissioner that her husband had a pre-existing medical condition that may have made his illness worse. The Centers for Disease Control said all of the country's H1N1 victims who died had pre-existing conditions.

At Monday's vigil, however, Weiner only wanted to focus on the outpouring of support she's received from those who knew her husband.

"He was the best possible person you could have worked with. He cared for all the kids, he loved the children," said school aide Natalie Rodriguez.

"He was a very nice guy, he was very hands-on," said Schwartz. "He always helped the people and it's such a shame he died like this. He didn't deserve to die like this."

Wiener is survived by three sons, who all want to become teachers.