Beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher and mentor, John C. Woodman passed away Friday evening at his West Brighton home with his family by his side. A lifelong Staten Islander, John was born Aug 9,1944 to John and Margaret (Olsen) Woodman. He graduated from Port Richmond HS in 1962 where he played basketball and baseball and was the school's student body President. He was Port Richmond HS’s Alumni Association President from 2018 until he became ill in December of 2022. An excellent catcher, Woody, as he was often called, earned a scholarship to play baseball at Wagner College from where he graduated in 1966. He received a Master’s Degree and Supervisory Certificate from Richmond College. John excelled in the classroom and went on to fulfill a lifelong desire to be a teacher and educator rising through the NYC school system beginning as an English teacher at McKee Vocational and Technical High School and eventually becoming the Principal of Harry Van Arsdale HS in Brooklyn in 1987.
John is survived by the love of his life and high school sweetheart Nancy (Olsen) his wife of 58 years, two children: Suzanne (Brian Miesegaes) and John (Dawn Last), as well as two grandchildren: Ashley and Christian Miesegaes and his sister Joan Gunning. John is predeceased by his parents Margaret and John and his sisters: Charlotte Zinicola, Margaret Curry and Anita Townsley.
A natural educator, John was an active Coach throughout his life. He began coaching at Mckee HS in the 60’s and went on to coach many teams at Snug Harbor Little League between 1980 and 2018. He was the all star coach of numerous city championship softball and baseball teams. Soon after his 1996 retirement John began introducing High School students around the country to architecture and engineering as he led the ACE Mentoring program for many years helping teenagers find their future while earning college scholarships.
John enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends, traveling with his family and spending time with his grandchildren. An avid walker, John loved seeing people in the neighborhood and stopping to talk with them. John would always spend time with his children helping his daughter Suzanne with her children and he helped his son John coaching from 1996 until he fell ill in December of 2022.
Most of all, John cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren Ashley and Christian. He loved going to Ashley’s dance recitals and taking her to Starbucks daily. John also made sure to never miss a concert or game of Christian’s. They were the most important people to him and he loved driving them to school or anywhere they wanted. “Poppy” as he was affectionately called, always made his grandchildren his number one priority and he cherished the time spent with them.
Funeral from Casey Funeral home 350 Slosson Ave. Staten Island NY 10314 on Wednesday 9:15 am. Church service will be conducted at Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church at 10am. Internment will follow at Ocean View cemetery Amboy Rd Staten Island NY.
Friends and family will be received on Tuesday from 3-8pm at Casey Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Port Richmond High School Alumni Association, 85 St. Josephs Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302 to provide College Scholarships for those in need.
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