Francis X. Girr

Mr. Girr, my favorite teacher ever. He was my English teacher as well as homeroom teacher at Classical High. He was fair and kind. In homeroom we would take turns starting each day with a reading from Scripture. He was truly a gift from above!

Francis reminisced in the eighties about his time at Classical. He said the first three years were still with him but the years after faded quickly from memory.
He emphasized this by given me a synopsis of an essay I wrote in 1967.

His instruction was lively and sexual tinged. He illustrated the semi-colon with the following example:
"Sally excited and happy met him at her door; he waged his tail and scampered in".

One of his best quotes was "Great novels are about real...

Dear Cathy and Chris,
You were blessed with extraordinary parents. They were humble in regard to their accomplishments in life but the proudest of parents regarding the both of you. I worked with Mary in the Springfield school system and received my master's along with her. I live a few houses down the road from their home in Longmeadow and as a result think of them daily. May it help to know many others share your sorrow.

Dear Frank and Mary, You were the kindest, most generous, intelligent people that we were honored to call friends. I miss you both tremendously and am saddened I will not see you again. Dear Cathy and ChrisChris you were Michael Shea's childhood friend and Cathy always a lovely, intelligent young lady. I know you realize what special parents you had. My condolences and love go out to you, Marianne

Mr. Girr was quick witted, unassuming and inspiring. He taught me how to write a term paper and I used his "formula" throughout college & grad. school. I loved going to 12th grade English at Classical. I especially remember when he told us of his latest painting: "Girr's Forest Park in January." He was an awesome teacher and I remember him fondly.

Mr Girr was one of my favorite teachers, period I had for 10th grade English at Classical. I loved his style, his dry wit. I remember him saying that he didn't have a TV. I looked forward to his class. Rest in Peace.

One of my all-time favorite teachers: Mr. Girr was my 10th grade English teacher at Classical High in Sringfield in the mid sixties. I did indeed enjoy his sense of humor. On one occasion in class, as he was lecturing to us, one of the students had his feet up on the chair in front of him(the student). Mr. Girr proceeded to get a compass(with a sharp point) out of his desk and walked over to the chair with the student's feet still on it and without missing a beat in his lecture made a...

I had Mr. Girr for 10th grade English at Classical. He made me a better writer and inspired my interest in art and culture. I very much enjoyed his dry sense of humor. I always got a kick out of him answering with a grade when someone asked how he was doing (e.g. Oh, A-minus / B-plus.). He was an excellent teacher and a very interesting man.
With sympathy,

I had "Mr. Girr" for 10th grade English at CHS and he was so learned, witty and inspiring. It was a wonderful class and he got me hooked on reading the NY Times. A memorable teacher and a fine human being. Rest in peace!