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Thomas DePeter Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas DePeter
Barbara Lee Webster Horn
April 8, 2011
Looking for life time crush from high school, and found he had passed away. I was glad to learn of his wonderful life and legacy. Tommy was an adorable boy. Quiet and under appreciated. I kissed him at a bar after graduation and never forgot him.
Loralee Ballas (Kapp)
May 4, 2010
I think of you often Mr. DePeter....I know, call you Tom. You are sorely missed and always will be. xo
Gabor Korthy
November 10, 2009
I took "Literature of the Absurd" as an elective course my junior year at Newton High School (1972) with Mr. DePeter. I had coasted through all my classes did the bare minimum and never reached my potential. Mr. DePeter was one of the few teacher I had that had a standard and you were expected to meet it or go beyond. He gave me a D for the class only because I think the administration frowned on Fs! Yet the lesson learned from him has stuck with me for life. As much as I hated him for it at the time he had much higher expectations of me than I did of my self. He was one of those people who made a major impact on my life yet I never thanked him for it. God Speed Mr. DePeter
Bob Peterson
August 28, 2009
Tom and I spent a great deal of time driving back and forth from Long Island to Worcester (Assumption College). I was the senior with the car and he the freshman. We also enjoyed hours playing together on the Greyhound baseball team. He was an awesome fellow, obviously a special teacher, great coach, and tremendous father to his lovely children, of whom he was effusively proud. We spoke recently and were attempting to make plans to get together sometime this year - he in MA and me in FL. He will be sorely missed - the likes of him do not come to us very often. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends in this time of their great loss. Rest in peace good friend.
Jeff Berger-White
July 19, 2009
In the winter and spring of 1992, I was Tom DePeter's student teacher. Without question, the transformative experience of my career. Nearly twenty years later, I still hear his voice and imagine the questions he might ask. And I see those small, dazzling eyes and that wry smile. A thousand miles away, his spirit lives on in my classrooms. It is with deep gratitude and a terrible sadness that I write these words tonight.
Laurie Brophy-Buscaino
July 17, 2009
So sorry to hear about your loss. Our families grew up near each other on Long Island and the DePeter kids were friends with the Brophy kids.Some great memories there. We lost Joe in February so we understand your loss. Would love to hear from Noreen...contact me.
Julia Ditelberg
June 12, 2009
I had the great pleasure of being in several plays directed by Tom DePeter, and remember with fondness his intelligence, humor, and dry wit. He was a wonderful man of the theater, and helped me understand the importance of clarity and communication. As a professional actor in New York, I haven't run into many directors who could hold a candle to his commitment and warmth, and I know so many other of his former students will miss him, and remember him with gratitude. Thank you so much, Tom, and my sincerest condolences to the DePeter family.
Anne Kearney
June 9, 2009
As the mother of two daughters, Simone and Sarah Kearney, who learned so much from Mr. DePeter, as an English teacher and a theater director, I want to say how sorry I am to hear of his passing. He made such a difference to their lives in Newton North High School (between 2000-2005).
Anne Bernard Kearney (Newton, MA)
Brandon Doyle
June 3, 2009
Mr. DePeter was one of my favorite teachers in high school or college. The lessons I learned in his class directly contributed to my success down the road. I also appreciated his enthusiasm for lacrosse - especially the NNHS vs LS rivalry throughout the early 90s. Best wishes to his family.
Tim McLean
June 2, 2009
Had Mr. DePeter for Philosophy and English, and did some acting, so I had a lot of Tom between 1990 and 1994. Went on to study literature and philosophy, am currently a happy paid writer and editor. Best way to say thanks to an English teacher, go out and get employed! Have much to thank him for, but what springs to mind is going outside (the whole class) to try to "smell" Diyonisus coming in the Autumn air. You know that person at camp who was a little too good at telling fireside ghost stories? That's how Tom taught Conrad, Melville, Camus.
Good night, Sir.
June 1, 2009
I had Mr. DePeter for freshman english inthe school year of 2002-2003. He was a unique teacher and a wonderful person. His lessons helped me become the person I am today. Thank you Mr. DePeter. I will always remember.
Jacob Samuelson
May 18, 2009
There aren't many teachers like him - anywhere and at any level. Mr. DePeter gave me Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Mario Vargas Llosa, William Styron, Pablo Neruda, ee cummings, and so many more. He gave the gift of literature and poetry to many. His trademark gift of a single novel to each student in his AP English class at the end of each term exemplifies his care and thoughtfulness. He'll be missed.
Stefan Becker
May 16, 2009
Tom made a special impact on me. He taught me how to appreciate literature in the classroom and how to express it on the stage. An important person in the lives of many fellow students.
Palma Sharp
May 15, 2009
Dear DePeter family I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I always liked Tommy he was a godd guy. I heart goes out to all of you in your time of sorrow.
Loralee Kapp
May 12, 2009
Mr. Depeter was my Creative Writing teacher in 1986. I'm pretty sure I kept most of the papers I wrote in his class. Not any other teacher's class, just his. We got to reaquaint about four years ago at a local restaurant/bar called the Cherry Tree in West Newton. It was so nice to see him again and get to talk to him as an adult rather than his student. He was a very sweet, intelligent and kind man and I will miss him dearly.
Will Lewis
May 11, 2009
Mr. Depeter was my lacrosse coach this year in Medfield. He always had a good sense of humour and kept all of us laughing. He thought us valuable aspects of lacrosse and he will be remembered greatly. I still cannot believe he is gone. His memory will stay with me forever
Kamilah Willingham
May 9, 2009
Mr. DePeter was the most inspiring teacher I've ever had. If not for him, I would not have pursued a Bachelors in English, would not have sought to cultivate my passion for writing, and would not be where I am today in my academic career. He pushed me from an early stage to develop the writing style that got me through college and into Harvard Law. Most importantly, he introduced me to "The Emperor of Ice Cream." To his friends and loved ones, I am very sorry for your loss - know that Tom DePeter will not be forgotten!
Sincerely,
Kamilah Willingham
NNHS '08
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