John P. Tobin Jr.

JOHN P. TOBIN Educator, Coach, Staten Island Sports Hall of Famer and Advance Service Award recipient, Founding President of Board of Trustees of New World Prep Charter School

John P. Tobin a retired New York City high school principal. administrative superintendent, assistant to three Chancellors of the former New York City Board of Education, Vice President of the Siemens Foundation and Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of New World Prep Charter School in Port Richmond died September 12, 2019 at home surrounded by his loving family. John was a 2006 inductee to the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame and a former recipient of the Staten Island Advance's All Star Service award in 1968.

Born in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, John was brought to Staten Island as an infant. During World War II he attended schools in North and South Carolina while living with his family returning to Staten Island in 1950 where he resided the remainder of his life. An Alum of St. Peter's Boys high school and Manhattan College he was a member of the legendary Manhattan College track and field teams of the late nineteen fifties. John began teaching and coaching on Staten Island in St. Peter's Boys High School and Port Richmond High School. As a young teacher, John continued his graduate work at Wagner College, St. John's University, Long Island University and Kean College in New Jersey where he achieved his professional certifications for leadership roles in schools in New York State. He then served as an assistant principal and athletic director at Tottenville High School until being selected to serve as an Administrative Superintendent in the role of Executive Assistant to Chancellor Frank Macchiarola continuing to serve in the Chancellor's office for the next two successive Chancellors until returning to the role of principal at John Dewey high school in Brooklyn, Tottenville on Staten Island and finally at Brooklyn Technical High School.

"Coach" Tobin's role as a Cross Country, Track and Field coach at Saint Peters, Port Richmond and Tottenville was legendary as his teams won many major events and developed some great runners, jumpers and throwers. His Tottenville team of 1982 still holds the record for scoring the most points in New York City PSAL outdoor Track and Field championships with over 240 points. For his coaching and leadership in the Track and Field community, John was inducted to the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame in 2006 where his efforts as a "driving force in the New York Empire State Games and the New York City Big Apple Games" were noted.

After leaving the Board of Education, John became the Director of Apprenticeship Training for Siemens Corporation, North America where he developed apprenticeship training in community colleges around the country. While at Siemens, Mr. Tobin initiated the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology competitions and formed the Siemens Foundation which named him as its Executive Vice President.

During his career with Siemens, John was recognized as a national expert of American "Tech Prep" and "School to Work" models of education for adolescents training to enter the workforce before entering into a college. He served on many national boards including the National Employers' Leadership Council. After eight years at Siemens John retired and began working together with Project Hospitality, and a consortium of leaders from the Port Richmond and immigrant communities to develop a charter school. This project culminated with the September 2010 opening of New World Prep Charter School on Sharpe Avenue in Port Richmond. This was Staten island's first middle school charter. Mr. Tobin was at the helm of the Board of Trustees from inception until July 1st of this year after which Mr. Tobin became President of the Friends of New World Prep.

A member of many professional organizations, John was active with Staten Island Track, Running and Community (SITRAC)in its early years, where he served as its first president. He was selected as a "non-trustee" member of the Staten Island Catholic Regional strategic planning committee and was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. His passion for education allowed him to serve as Vice President of the PSAL Wingate Memorial Fund for over thirty-five years and as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Gateway to Higher Education program at CUNY's City College for over thirty years as well.

Mr. Tobin is survived by his wife Alice Garand Tobin, his children: Beverly (Rob) Morganbesser, Maureen (Tom) Buneo, Kathleen (Rob) Roesler, Stephanie (Tom) Duffy, Kevin (Kathy) Tobin, Michael Tobin and his stepchildren Mary Alice Rowan and Stephen Rowan, twelve grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. John was pre-deceased by his son John P. Tobin III and his granddaughter Shannon Elizabeth Tobin and his stepson John Garand Rowan, Esq.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to New World Preparatory newworldprep.org/donate

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father,

who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who

trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory, forever.

Amen.