Students and colleagues are mourning the sudden death of a beloved assistant principal at one of Brooklyn's most prestigious schools.

Paul Hoftyzer was a fixture at Brooklyn Tech for over 20 years, spending half of his life working there. He was a chemistry teacher before becoming the assistant principal.

On Monday night, colleagues say he attended an award ceremony when he had some kind of medical episode and later died. He was 44 years old.

Students and co-workers remember Hoftyzer as the heart and soul of the school, who would stop at nothing for everyone who walked through the halls.

"He was the rock of our department, he was the rock of the school ... he was our cheerleader and he was a pillar of strength," says colleague Concetta Licitra.

Hoftyzer is survived by his wife and two young kids. The school is making grief counselors available for anyone who needs them.