John F. Gaumond

WORCESTER-John F. Gaumond, 91, passed away Thursday, November 28. He was born August 9, 1933, in Webster, son of Paul Phillip and Lillian D. (Marsha) Gaumond.

Survived by his wife Judith Ferrara; his children: Leslye Edwards of Virginia, Dana McLaughlin of Oxford, Tracy Raphaelson of Michigan, Julie Gaumond of West Virginia, Scott Gaumond of Virginia, and J. Peter Gaumond of East Brookfield; his sister, Diane Oakes of Worcester; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. His son, Gregory, and siblings Marsha Keck, Paula Lacaire, David Gaumond, Jeannette Catino, and Arthur Gaumond predeceased him. 

John proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. John earned degrees at Worcester State University (B.S. Ed. and M. Ed.) and Syracuse University (Master of Arts in Social Science from the Maxwell Graduate School of Public Affairs).

John was a dedicated teacher for 38 years; he taught at West Boylston Junior/Senior High School and at the McKay Campus School of Fitchburg State University, where he also taught graduate courses. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1997.

John and his fifth-grade students were featured in Elliot Hoffman’s documentary, “Teachers’ Stories, Children’s Lives,” shown on PBS in the United States and Canada. John initiated and coordinated the Reading Is Fundamental Program at the McKay Campus School, Fitchburg State University for twenty-five years. One of his proudest accomplishments is that he distributed 50,000 free books to pre-K through grade 5 students. In 1997, he received the Margaret C. McNamara Award from Reading Is Fundamental. In 2001, John received the Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Education award from Worcester State University.

John was a life-long learner. His passions included reading, poetry, photography, gardening, and baseball. From 1983-1993, John volunteered as an actor, director, and writer at WICN’s “Blackbird Radio Theater.” Since his retirement, John’s photography was shown in solo and group exhibitions, and he read his poems at many local venues. He received the Jacob Knight Poetry Award in 2006. His poetry chapbook, Finding the Words, was published this year by Kelsay Books. Beginning in 2009, he volunteered as a docent at the Stanley Kunitz Boyhood Home in Worcester, which enriched his life greatly.

John shared a love of learning and travel with his wife Judith, who was the love of his life.

Contributions may be made to the Worcester State Fund, which supports student scholarships: https://www.worcester.edu/alumni-giving/giving-to-worcester-state/worcester-state-fund/

In lieu of a funeral, a memorial celebration will be held in the spring.

(photo credit – John Hodgen)