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BORN
1935
DIED
2013
FUNERAL HOME
John Aylward Obituary
Born in North Walpole, NH on July 28, 1935 he was the son of John E. and Mary (Kopacz) Aylward. He was a second generation American and proud of his Irish and Polish heritage. He resided in Manchester for forty-five years.
John graduated from Bellows Falls High School in Vermont, Class of 1953. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from St. Anselm College in 1957. He was a proud Golden Anselmian. He earned a masters degree from Rivier University in 1971.
He served with the United States Army, 7th division, in Germany.
John spent 32 years as an educator at Weston School, where he retired as principal in 1996.
He served on the board of directors of the Manchester Fire Prevention Committee, was past president and director of St. Joseph Cathedral Credit Union, treasurer and member of the board of directors of St. Anselm College Alumni, treasurer of the Manchester Principals Association, NHEA delegate to the National Education Association Conference, and member of the NH Retired Educators Association.
An avid golfer he was a member of the Derryfield Country Club and Capri Isles Golf Club, Venice, Fl. He was a communicant of St. Christopher Church, York, Maine and attended Epiphany Cathedral, Venice. He enjoyed skiing, basketball, and bowling. He was a loyal Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. He was kind, loving, and strong. His strength was apparent during his courageous battle with cancer. His daughters were precious to him and he loved them unconditionally. John cherished the special times spent with his grandchildren, especially attending their sporting and school events. He felt blessed to have three wonderful sons-in-law.
Family members include his wife and best friend of 52 years, Kathlyne (Simpson) Aylward; three daughters, Jill Johnston and her husband, Rick, of Manchester, Beth Coelho and her husband, Don, of Bellingham, MA, Kym Harrington and her husband, Brian, of Bedford; his grandchildren, Derick and Megan Johnston, Matthew, Katelyn, and Amy Coelho, Patrick and Jacquelyn Harrington; his sister, Janice Lacoille and her husband, Norm, of North Walpole; several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Jean Morrissette and Patricia Houle.
Services: Calling hours are Sunday from 4 to 7 PM at the Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, corner of Concord Street, Manchester.
The funeral will be held Monday with a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10 AM in the Abbey at Saint Anselm College, Goffstown, NH.
Burial with military honors will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, NH.
Memorial donations may be made to New Hampshire Easter Seals, 555 Auburn Street, Manchester, NH 03103 or to CASA of N.H., P. O. Box 1327, Manchester, NH 03105.
Memories and Condolences
for John Aylward
Anne Zielinski Edmonds
January 18, 2014
Mr. Aylward was my 6th grade teacher at Weston School many years ago. I transferred from a Catholic school with all nuns; he was my first male teacher. I remember how kind he was to me and my classmates. I remember him taking us bowling at Lakeside Lanes. I didn't realize that he was of Polish and Irish heritage (like me!) No wonder I liked him so much. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Dottie Forand
January 9, 2014
Mr.Alyward was an excellent teacher. I'm sorry for you loss.
AnnMarie Meile
January 6, 2014
Dear Kathy & Family, Thoughts & prayers are with you all in the loss of your precious John. The Lottie & John Kopacz descendants are thinking of you & sending our love to you and all your family. Please cherish all your wonderful memories. Love, AnnMarie (Kopacz) Meile
Kevin and Connie Shepard
January 6, 2014
Condolences from Kevin and Connie Shepard of Venice FL to the family. You and John will be in our thoughts & prayers
Marcia Szumiesz
January 6, 2014
Sincere sympathy to John's family. I knew him when he & his wife were the first tenants in my parents home on Blodget St. He was the type of person you don't forget.
Mary (MacGuire) Noce
January 6, 2014
I have such fond memories of Mr. Aylward as my principal at Weston School. He was a really nice man, and well liked by his students. My deepest sympathies to your family.
Meredith Guerriero
January 5, 2014
He was an amazing principal. I still remember him 25+ yrs later. I'm so sorry for your loss and hope you find peace knowing the positive impact he had on so many children. He made the school a better place.
David Fuller
January 5, 2014
Kathy and family,
My deepest sympathies in your loss. John was a good man and friend. He will be missed.
Carolyn L'Italien
January 5, 2014
Kathy and Family,
I am so saddened to hear of John's passing. I was very fortunate to be part of the Weston Family - working with John as a friend and under him when he was the principal. The children loved him as a teacher, and the staff were grateful for 'the community' he continued there with the staff. We were a great family.
Your loss is shared by many who have been fortunate to have known John. He was loved and respected by all.
My deepest sympathy to your family.
Susan Trovato Blaisdell
January 5, 2014
Kathy and family - I am so very sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of our times together and all the love and laughter spent with you and your family. May your memories bring you peace at this time.
Shirley & Ed Doyle
January 4, 2014
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. John sat in front of me in homeroom the 4 yrs at BFHS. He was always smiling, polite and friendly with all the classmates. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Maureen Ladd
January 4, 2014
Kathlyne and your family,
We will miss John as a dear friend, To have known his kindness and sense of fun and his deep faith was a great blessing to us.
Love, Maureen and Terry
Linda Parente
January 4, 2014
I am very sorry for your loss. He was such a great man. I will always remember John as being a family man who loved his wife, kids and grandkids so very much. I will remember him as a loving father to Beth and my brother Don, and he loved the kids so much. I admired him for his loving ways, and kind heart. I enjoyed all the conversations we had at family gatherings/outings etc.
What wonderful memories to have.
You are in my deepest prayers during this time.
Love, Linda Parente
Don & Norma Lachance
January 4, 2014
Sending our sincere condolences .
DONNA GIOVAGNOLI
January 4, 2014
Jill and family, just wanted u to know how sad i am about the loss of your dad. Your parents are awsome and always have been awsome to me. I have very fond memories of times spent with them. I am thinking of u all in this sad time and just wanted u to know.
Lisa Wood
January 3, 2014
My deepest condolences to Mr. Aylward's family. Mr. Aylward was my teacher at Weston School. He was always so kind and good natured. As soon as I saw his picture, I felt a sadness even though it was many years ago that I was in Weston.
Deepest Sympathy
Lisa Wood
January 3, 2014
I taught at Weston School at the beginning of my teaching career and am so happy to have had the opportunity to work with such a kind man. He was like a father figure to all - students and staff. We were made to feel cared for, comfortable and appreciated. My thoughts and prayers are with all family and friends of such a wonderful man.
Paula Kew
Kathy Turgeon
January 3, 2014
Dear Kathy and girls,
I was so saddened to read of John passing. He was a kind and gentle man, committed to education , and great fun to be with! From the time I started work at Youngsville til we both retired he made me feel welcome and valued.
I was always impressed by his commitment to and pride in his family. He will be missed.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ed & Marion Russell
January 3, 2014
To the Aylward Family,
Ed and I started as Volunteers at Weston School shortly after John retired. Ed knew John for quite some time and always spoke very highly of him. I did have the opportunity of meeting him and I felt I had known him for a long time with his great smile and our talking about Weston School. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this most difficult time.
Karen Grady Labarre
January 3, 2014
Mr Alyward was my sixth grade teacher at Weston many moons ago. When I saw his picture in the paper my heart sank. He was such a great teacher, a positive influence on so many of us kids. He was truly someone you could trust. My thoughts and sympathies go out to his family. He will always be remembered. Godspeed to you Mr Aylward.
Sue Paige Hannigen
January 3, 2014
I will always remember Mr. Aylward as one of my favorite teachers at Weston School (almost 40 years ago!) He was a wonderful man and was always so kind and caring when interacting with us kids. Please accept my deepest sympathy for you loss.
Rose Mahoney
January 3, 2014
Kathy,
John will be sorely missed. We will always have fond memories of our times together. Jim and I feel so fortunate to have known him.
Love, Rose and Jim
Mary Barnea Ruben
January 3, 2014
I will always remember Mr. Aylward fondly as my 6th grade teacher at Weston School. He was always one of my favorite teachers. He will be missed.
Karolyn Mandigo-Gomes
January 3, 2014
When I was in 6th grade it was Mr. Aylward's first year of being the Principal at Weston. I remember the sport war between him and another teacher. The other teacher was a Yankee Fan. That was a good time when the teacher put us students up egging on Mr. Aylward and in return he did the same. My sisters had Mr. Aylward for their Math teacher. He has been remembered all this time. Please accept our sympathies for your loss.
david wenners
January 3, 2014
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Celia Warren
January 3, 2014
Kathlyne we are so sorry to hear of John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
Doug and Celia Warren
Virginia Fitzhugh
January 2, 2014
Beth my heartfelt sympathy to you and all the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Love Aunt Gin
lynn kennedy
January 2, 2014
Beth, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Words can seem inadequate at this time of loss. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Eaton
January 2, 2014
It was a sad day when I heard that John passed away. He was my first principal at Weston School. John was such a kind, fun-loving gentleman that made Weston School such a positive work environment. He will be greatly missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time
Ellie Chauvette
January 2, 2014
So sorry to hear about the passing of John, I worked for, him at Weston School and he was a wonderful and caring man. He wil always be remembered as one of my favorite people. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time.
Ellie Chauvette
Janet Gagne
January 2, 2014
John was such a nice man who had a great smile and laugh. I loved working with him when he taught and working for him when he became our Principal at Weston School in Manchester. He will be greatly missed and wonderfully remembered.
Barbara & Ralph Politano
January 2, 2014
We were deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. We have such warm memories of the many fun times we shared together. He was a wonderful man and will be truly missed.
Kara Argo
January 2, 2014
I have such fond childhood memories of John, our trips, the beach, sleepovers and waking up to him cooking French toast for us all, and all of our ski adventures to Kings Ridge and so many more, he will be missed!
Carol Abbott
January 2, 2014
Aunt Kathy and family. so sorry to hear about Uncle John. Not only was he my God Father, but he was my favorite Uncle. I will always remember his jolly heart warming smile! Carol
January 2, 2014
So admired John & Kathlyne's faith, courage & strength - what an inspiration! Love & prayers to the family, Marty & Lois Light, Venice, FL
January 2, 2014
So very sorry - he was a kind and loving person - always putting others before himself. Ellen Abbott
Paul & Betsy Mercier
January 2, 2014
My prayers are with you all at this difficult time
January 2, 2014
I admired him greatly, respected him deeply. Such a loss to his wonderful family. Our hearts are with you. Anna and Paul Romero
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