John P. Kulevich

John grew up in Maynard and could usually be found on a sports field when not at home or in school. His true passion was baseball, and as a pitcher on several local, regional, and all-star teams, his athletic prowess was well documented in the local newspapers throughout high school. Upon graduating from Maynard High, he enrolled at the College of the Holy Cross where he continued his baseball career with the Crusaders.

A southpaw, he was selected to hurl for the Milford Townies who in 1958, won the All-American Amateur Baseball Association tournament championship. John emerged as the championship game’s hero, pitching a masterful six-hit game, for which he was named MVP, a first for a pitcher, and an honor which earned him an engraved plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

After graduating from Holy Cross in 1961, John was signed by the Chicago Cubs organization and began his professional baseball career playing for the Morristown Cubs and the Palatka Florida Cubs as the only left-handed pitcher on their rosters. However, when his pitching career was cut short after he sustained an elbow injury for which surgery was not an option, John started teaching English and Social Studies at Wayland Junior High School. He was also the high school’s varsity baseball coach and assistant football coach. While working towards his master’s degree at Framingham State College, he moved up through the ranks in the Wayland school system, eventually becoming an assistant superintendent. In 1968, he met his future wife, Deidre, who was assigned to his school as a student teacher of Latin.

In 1978, having completed his Ph.D. at Boston College, and after 15 years in the Wayland school system, John was hired as the superintendent of schools in Scituate. During his nearly 25-year tenure in the Scituate Public Schools, John was also an adjunct faculty member and guest lecturer at several nearby colleges and graduate schools and was an active member of numerous professional organizations. Despite his busy schedule, he always found time to coach his kids’ youth soccer, baseball, and basketball teams throughout the years.

John retired from the Scituate Public Schools in 2002, but as a dedicated educator, his work did not end there. He began working as a consultant with the Massachusetts Department of Education and participated in reviewing over 50 underperforming school systems statewide between 2004 and 2015. Additionally, until March 2020, he supervised many students completing practicum and field-based research projects and taught graduate level courses at American International College.

In his free time, John enjoyed doing complex jigsaw puzzles, needlepoint, traveling, attending concerts, and following various sports teams. Throughout his life, he remained steadfast in the practice of his Catholic faith.

Along with his wife of 52 years, Deidre (Cashman), he leaves his children, Deirdre G. and John B., both of Boston; his brother Alexander Kulevich Jr. (Barbara) of Marblehead; his sister Catherine Kulevich also of Marblehead; his brother Joseph Kulevich (Cynthia) of Maynard; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents Alexander and Mary Kulevich, several aunts and uncles and his mini side-kick Schnauzer, Indy.

A funeral Mass for John will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 11:00 am at Saint Anthony’s Church, 2 Summer Street, Cohasset.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations in John’s memory to the American Heart Association or to the Jimmy Fund.