Introduced to track and field by Brother J.A. Barry as a sophomore at Catholic Memorial H.S., John was a member of just the 2nd graduating class from CM, and one of the first varsity athletes in school history. After graduating from Iona College, he began his teaching and coaching careers at Msgr. Farrell HS on Staten Island and in the summer of 1969 returned to Massachusetts and began teaching and coaching at St. John’s Prep. John retired from teaching last year, completing 54 years as a biology and chemistry teacher. During that time he met and married his wife Virginia, and together raised Jessica, who is a kindergarten teacher in R.I. and Colin, who is a builder in Whitefish Vt. “The love and support that Virginia and the kids supplied made me a very satisfied guy over the years.” For most of his years at Prep, John was an assistant to the legendary Hall of Fame coach Ray Carey. The hours shared together at practices, at meets, on road trips to invitationals, are some of his most precious memories. At St. John’s, John has been fortunate to work with some wonderful administrators, and coaches, including Jim O’Leary and his current AD Jameson Pelkey, Jack Klein, Bill Boyle, Rob Chandler and Zach Lankow, who is currently the head coach. To the mentioned above, he offers his sincerest thanks. Coach Boyle humbly accepts this HOF award knowing that, “It would not be possible without all of you, from Br. Barry, to Virginia and his kids, and to Ray and my fellow coaches…Thank You.”
Class: 2021 Inducted: 2021