"Just heard of Mr. Galvin's passing - I am thankful to have had his support through Senior Year High School AP English 1980. His teaching and enthusiasm for literature, discussion and reflection was always stimulating, encouraging and refreshing. May you rest in peace and power, Mr. Galvin. Sending condolences to your whole family."
In loving memory of
John J Galvin
May 15, 1939 - October 22, 2023
John "Jack" Galvin, Jr, 84, a respected and beloved member of the Newport community, peacefully passed away with friends and family on October 22, 2023. His genuine character and deep commitment to those around him will be remembered fondly. A graduate of De La Salle in 1957, Jack earned his BA from Providence College and a MA in English from the University of Rhode Island. Jack taught English at Roger's High School for nearly 30 years. He had a remarkable ability to educate, entertain, and inspire the young people around him. After retiring from Rogers, he began a second career at Salve Regina, where he started the "WriteLife" program to encourage seniors to write about their lives and share with others. As such, he was a lifelong teacher to the young and old.
Jack was the husband of Maria G. (Marchetti) Galvin for 61 years; father of John J. Galvin, III (Lisa), Matthew P. Galvin, Leah G. Chesney (David), and Nadia M . Saulino (Matthew); grandfather of Nicholas, Alexander (Lauren), and Olivia Chesney and Matthew and Daniel Saulino. He was the eldest brother of Patricia Marchetti (Edward), Chris Galvin (Mary Jane), Neil Galvin (Lynn), Richard Galvin (Kathleen) and David Galvin. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a large extended family. His parents, John and Lucille Galvin, his brother Robert Terrance Galvin, and sister-in-law Anne Corcoran-Galvin, preceded him.
The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Visiting Nurses Home and Hospice, especially Dr. Rocco's team--Suzanne, Jane, Celia, Danny, Holly, Mandy, and Mary, for the care given to Jack.
Jack never met a tennis ball he didn't want to chase, a piece of chocolate he didn't want to eat, or a New Yorker article he didn't want to read. If you ran into Jack, he invariably told you that he "just read an interesting article" and wanted you to read it too, share your thoughts, and maybe even write a short paper about it.
Jack spent most of his summers teaching tennis at Bailey's Beach. Later, he started the tennis program at Carnegie Abbey, where he got to hit a few balls with his lifelong idol, Rod Laver.
What he most loved and worked tirelessly at was writing. Jack was a prolific writer and excelled at capturing the extraordinary of the everyday. He published articles and stories in Boston Magazine, The Rhode Islander Magazine, and others. His book with Mark Pfetzer, Within Reach: My Everest Story, has been translated into several languages and continues to be used as teaching materials in middle school classrooms.
Always the athlete, Jack encouraged everyone around him to be active daily. Not a day went by (right up to the end) where he wouldn't ask one of his kids, "What did you do for exercise?" or "Did you get outside today?" Jack prioritized an active lifestyle himself, whether riding his bike around town, running marathons, or taking a walk on Sachuest Point.
While all these accomplishments enriched his life, Jack ultimately cherished being with his family the most. Jack took every opportunity to spend time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Whether it was a trip to the beach, an impromptu tennis lesson, a game or performance, a beautiful homecooked family meal, or a trip to Frosty Freez, Jack loved spending time with his family.
While Jack will be sorely missed, he will also be happily remembered by all those who knew and loved him.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. - to 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. Services will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 79 Broadway, Newport, RI. To stream Jack's services please follow this link, https://my.gather.app/remember/jack-galvin . In place of flowers, please consider donating to Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice, 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
Tributes
"My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Galvin's wife and family. I met Mr. Galvin my freshman year first in Study Hall and later during my time on the Viking Times Newspaper. Mr. Galvin was always a great supporter in my writing for the Viking Times. I had the privilege in my 10th-grade year to have him as a teacher for English. He was always a joy to speak with about sports, writing, school, life, etc. He will be missed and remembered. "
" I just found out that you, my favorite teacher in Highschool passed away. Rest easy Mr Galvin, thanks for seeing something in my writing and sparking that love for English literature in my heart. Thank you for seeing more in me then a rotten bratty teen. Your guidance in class meant more to me than you ever knew. Thank you for helping me find the words that I held in the deepest part of my mind and heart and helping me spill them out properly onto paper. Walking into your class you always had a smile on your face, your love for what you were about to teach was always palpable to everyone lucky enough to see that fire behind your eyes. I wish I had told you what a beautiful difference you made in my days and life. Rest in eternal peace to a wonderful, good, kind, smart and loved human. He adored his job!! Such an inspiration. My condolences to your family. I will keep you all in my prayers during this heartbreak. The world will never know another?. ?? "
"I was so fortunate to have Mr. GALVIN as my English teacher at Roger's. He was a great teacher and awesome person. My thoughts are with his whole family, especially Richard and David."
"ON BEHALF OF THE MURPHYS OF ATLANTIC STREET, ANOTHER BIG FAMILY, CONDOLENCES MARIA AND ALL THE GALVINS ON THE DEATH OF JACK. ONE SUPER STAR WHO EARNED AN EZPASS TO WHIZ BY ST PETER. "
"At Rogers High School, we were required to submit an essay every week for Mr. Galvin's English composition course. I learned the meaning of a phrase most often attributed to William Faulkner, "I only write when I'm inspired. Fortunately, I'm inspired every morning at 9 o'clock." This got me through life as an undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, and finally, as a successful, well-disciplined adult. Eternally grateful to you, Mr. Galvin!"
"To this day, if you ask me who were my favorite teachers, Jack Galvin would on the short list. He introduced me to writing that I never would have picked up,, and he made learning English and writing interesting. He created a welcoming environment where you wanted to be. He might be surprised today to learn that I work in communications, and I write extensively. My thoughts and prayers go to his family. May his memory be a blessing. (Hi Leah.) "
"Very few teacher?s held my attention, or helped to ignite the level of enthusiasm for my writing? the way Mr Galvin did. In my opinion, he was truly one of the best; his authenticity, eye twinkle, and dry wit? are still clear in my memory 40 plus years later! Always loved the wonderful article he wrote, published in Projo ?about the time he ran the Ocean State marathon, which concluded with his humbling recounting the humorous culmination in his hobbling back to his car, and realizing he had lost his keys, (no cell phones as it was back in the day), and the parking lot was empty as everyone had left. Wish I had kept a copy of it..great teacher, great writer..My condolences to his friends, and his family both."
"I was Jacks Barber for many years. Great man. I will miss him. Condolences to his family ?."
"My deepest condolences to the family at this time of loss. Mr. Galvin will be fondly remembered by this grateful RHS student '74. Comfort and peace.??"
"My deepest condolences to the entire Galvin family. I had Mr. Galvin as an English teacher at Rogers. He was always one of my favorite teachers and I will remember him fondly. Rosemary M. RHS 89'"
"Our sincere condolences to Mr Galvin's beloved family and many friends. He was an Aquidneck Island treasure, and one of our long time favorite customers. He will be missed by so many. Sincerely, Mark, Kim, and all the staff at Frosty Freez."
"My deepest condolences and continued prayers for Jack, Maria and their loving family Irene Paonessa "
"I remember Jack very fondly, as a classmate at De La Salle and as a teammate on the tennis team. I moved away from Newport but would come home to visit. If I could stop in and say Hi to Jack the trip was always better. My condolences to all the Galvins. Mike Keeley"