John was a huge influence in my life, a very positive one at that. A stern master and a good friend. He helped me launch my carer as a commercial photographer which I did for 40+ years and had a blast doing so. John was always supportive and knew how to bring out the best in us kids. I did get to tell him personally that he had a massive influence in my success on a trip back from MPLS to LI many years ago. I cannot listen to a Moody Blues Album and not think of John, yes we shared that as well. I am now retired, I was a hospice RN for many years post photography, I wish to send my condolences toJohn's family as I have first hand knowledge on how tough that is to loose one to that terrible disease. I lost my mother to this.  
Just wanted to say, John made a difference, a BIG difference to many of us.

Peter Schmidt, class of 1975 HHH.

Always in my heart forever and ever!!
"Our Meehan"

Dear Meehan Family, 
I just found out about your,
 "Very Dear Husband, father and My Favorite teacher and mentor"
~  just today!
I am completely heart broken!!
My Tears have been flowing uncontrollably! 

Mr Meehan, was the most influential 
person in my life. 
I absolutely adored him! 
He was my reason for going to school each day!  
I looked forward to seeing him, and being in his photography class and Darkroom... Everyday!!  
He always put a smile on my face with his charm, wit and funny sayings! 
If I said, So?? ...He would say, .... buttons!! 
If I was in a Quandary, he would say, 
"What's a Girl to Do?
If I put my hands on my hips 
 He would do the same with a smile on his face! 
He was such a sweet, gentle and warm man who listened to me intently,
whenever I wanted to share things with him & I would pay very close attention to him as well while he shared his stories with me.

 I had such respect for him, and I always will! 

He always had Pink Floyd Music Playing in the Classroom. It was so clever of him to create such an inviting environment for all his students.
We were "Always welcome" to come into his Classroom whenever we wanted.
His Door was always open and....
 he always made us feel special.  
The respect he had for us was truly evident, from the very first day of class.
From the moment I met him, I knew I was going to love him!
His classroom was truly, my home away from home! 
We ate lunch with him, and we honestly wanted to be with him all the time. 
He became friends with all of us,
and had such a positive impact on me,
 and all his students.

He was so very talented !! He once gave my friend a photograph that he had taken of a rainbow over the wing of an Airplane~
It was breathtaking !!! 
It is still hanging on my friend's 
mother's wall!  
I loved his photography work so much !

He taught me to love photography, but especially photojournalism.
Whenever I think of Him, 
I think of the photographs on the walls of our classroom ~ and how much he Loved them so!  
He had a photograph of Christina's World on the wall, a beautiful ballerina posing next to an elephant, And a Portrait of an Old woman taken by, Margaret Bourke White.
He taught me how to appreciate taking photographs of, 

"The Decisive moment" 

Sometimes, I feel as if i am "Still"
in his class~ listening to his words of wisdom...,and learning from him. 
 
I went to College at Syracuse University and studied photography... all because of him. 
He truly helped me find my passion! 

I am forever grateful to him for being that one teacher, that meant the world to me!  My parents loved him so much too.
He once came over to my house for pizza, and it was such fun having him over!! 

Years after Graduation, 
He photographed my In laws 25 th wedding anniversary.  It was a very special night for me, Because Mr. Meehan was there to hear the news, that I became engaged to my High school sweetheart, Wayne.
My husband loved him very much also and was his student as well. 

Mr Meehan, also photographed Wayne and I for our very first Portrait session 
as "boyfriend and Girlfriend"
( in the very beginning of our relationship)
He also photographed me, For my Sweet 16, and Made a special sign-in board for my party! 

He was so thoughtful and caring!
He was definitely one of a kind. 

We all had so much fun in his class! He was, "Our Meehan!" 
When we wanted him, we would yell out,       "Meehan'!!!" 

He was the absolute best teacher and friend, anyone could ever ask for. 
He truly cared about all of us,
and we knew we were loved by him!.  

He was a sweet and gentle soul, and he
Will be Remembered forever and ever. 
I wish we had the chance to see one another again.
There was a reunion last summer,
and I was hoping to see him.  

If ever you want to share stories with me, About, "Our Meehan" 

I would love to hear from you!

With all my love and prayers, 
Lori Emert - Steck ❤Lori Steck @ aol.com

I am profoundly saddened to just learn of the death of our old family friend, Jack. I came across a stash of his old family photo negatives from the early 70's, when he acted as voluntary family photographer for my family of 12 kids. Jack, or Tiger (my late dad's nickname for him) , or  "Mr. Man" to us as little kids - was just  adored by our tribe and spent many Sunday nights at our home for dinner ithrough the mid-70s. My brothers and sister most if not all of the known photos  from from our primarily to Jack's efforts, in addition to  Multiple family weddings in both Dix Hiills and later Pittsburgh. Jack was a kind soul and a special man. Karen, I extend the Dickey family's belated but nonetheless profound condolences to you and your children on the loss of your husband and father. My hope is that he is enjoying a cold beer and a good story in the hereafter  with my own late father, who loved your Jack like his  own 13th child.

I loved you Mr. Meehan, you made a profound differece in my life.
- Dane Lepson.

Although I have not seen Jack since I graduated high school in 1972, the appreciation of photography and the skills he instilled became life long passions.  He was such a good man and such a good teacher.  I only regret that when I made a career change to become a professional photographer, I did not let him know.

Jack was always such a nice person and one of my favorites.  So sorry to hear of his passing.  Sally Taylor

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Meehan was my art teacher. He is remembered fondly.

As past president of aoh div 2, I and all members are proud to call him brother. With his great smile,also came great irish history lessons and as a photoman for all our major dedications and parties. Jack will be missed. My prayers will always be with him and his family.

In the course of lifetime, how many people do we know that have left an indelible mark on those they touched?  How many are blessed with wonderful gifts and the fervor to inspire others?  How many put their passions aside and selflessly dedicate themselves to a suffering love one?  How many will truly be there when times are tough?

As for me and our family, there have been less than a handful of those folks. Along with my father, we are blessed to have Jack as one of the few. His passion was contagiouspassion for family, art, expression, teaching, nature, and country.

Yes, Jack, you have left that indelible mark.  It's a legacy that will remain forever in your family, friends, and students.

With pride and admiration,

I got my first teaching job at Half Hollow Hills after Jack vacated his position at Candlewood Jr. High School. I knew it would be difficult to follow in Jack's outstanding footsteps, because he was a preeminent professional. I so much enjoyed working this very kind gentleman.  My deepest, heartfelt sympathies are extended to his lovely wife, Karen, and their beautiful family.

Joan Lewis

John was one of the kindest, most giving people I have ever known.  He always shared his many talents to bring smiles to so many people.   We were friends for 45 years and  it is difficult to imagine this world without him. Rest in peace, my friend , with all the angels in heaven.

So sorry for the loss of Jackie.  He was a wonderful person. The world is a little less bright with him not on this earth. Condolences to the family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief. My visual memories of HHHS are plentiful because of the 3 yrs. of images I accumulated with lessons from Mr. Meehan. He had that special quality to instill & indulge confidence. He was the teacher I visited years later to share my success as a professional in the arts. I still can see his smiling eyes.

We offer our most sincere condolences to the Meehan family. May loving memories ease your loss and bring you comfort.

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of John. He was very helpful to us at HHH and we knew him especially because he was your husband,Karen.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.

  The first time I had Mr Meehan was in 7th grade for a mechanical drawing class. He played music during class while we were drawing, simon and garfunkal is the one that stands out. Things that I learned in that class I have have used for most of my working carrier. The next time I had him as a teacher was 10th grade art class. He was a great teacher who honestly helped you develop your art and in the long your  style that stays with you for life.  Later on  my daughter had him for photography class while she was in HHH east. Her love of black and white photography can be atributed to that class and Mr Meehan.  He was a good person who will be missed

He was the best teacher.  He inspired, motivated and above all truly cared about each and every one of his students. His passion and enthusiasm for photography instilled a life long interest in photography for me. I will forever fondly remember the days of photo class and the endless after school evenings of set building for the plays.  He was the reason I became a teacher.  His love of teaching inspired me.  His patience, compassion and gentle approach to teaching taught me so much more than I can ever express. He ultimately became my good friend and colleague. 
When I was in high school he would always say, Do you want to be immortalized before he would take a photo?  Little did I know then how much I would appreciate his many photographs. His eye captured my wedding, children as they grew up, and school events when I was teaching.  These photographs I now dearly cherish and he created the life-long memories I so appreciate. He was such an extraordinary role model in so many ways. He had a profound influence on me. His presence will be greatly missed by all.  
My sincerest sympathies.

I'll always remember Jack as being good-natured, friendly and kind.  He lived life with passion, and I'm glad to have known him.

Have you ever had one of those teachers that you've never forgotten (mind you I graduated high school in 1972)? Jack Meehan was the one for me, he taught art and photography at Half Hollow Hills. We helped him build the dark room and started the photography class. He taught me how to see the world through a camera lense, something I have never lost. He taught my mother too which snowballed into us having our own darkroom at home. Jack saw so much through his camera and shared it with so many kids. Today I learned that he's passed away. I haven't seen him in 4 decades but my heart is sore that he has left us. I had heard he had alzheimers these last few years and I'm sorry I never got the chance to tell him how much what he taught me stayed with me. Thank you Jack. I will always remember you.

Please accept our condolences on the passing of your dear husband & father.  He will be greatly missed.  
Love 
The Ross Family TerrI.Mike & family.

John (Jack) Meehan was the nicest person I have come to know.  He was a kind, decent and dedicated family man, an excellent husband and father.  He was always there to help someone in need, whether they be known to him or not.  He was a career educator, his students would recall him fondly as we walked through neighborhood stores and restaurants.  Jack was a top tier photographer and always charged too little for his professional work.  Jack was a proud Historian for the local AOH, often speaking about his time there with great enthusiasm.  I enjoyed my time with Jack on the golf course and at car shows.  

My thoughts and prayers are with Karen, Timothy and Jacqueline during this difficult time.

OBITUARY

John Meehan

January 10, 1943 – February 11, 2015

Claude R. Boyd - Caratozzolo Funeral Home

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