James Francis Moriarty Jr.

World History and JV Football I punted once in a game and Coach Moriarty put me in for that one punt. He did that 'once' for many players to give us the experience that otherwise would never happen. Met him at Illing in 1974, looking for a teaching job after the Army and grad school. in the hallway, big smile on his face, shook hands, and went right up to the principal and said, " hire this man, now", right there and then. Job did not happen, but he was that type of person.. wanting the best...

The Manchester Boys won the CT State title for the 1st time since 1938. I have to believe that former Coach Big Jim Moriarty was there in spirit!

The complete Mentor and Teacher. I can still recall the Presence and his often imitated walk as he entered the classroom. Yup, I wanted to be History Major for a semester and then I realized Mr. Moriarty would be a fixture at MHS forever. Thanks for instilling a love for World History as the Topic is a frequent Jeopardy Category. Take a bow Coach for a Well Done Career.

Remembering a fantastic teacher and fellow coworker

Best teacher that I ever had

So sorry for your loss. Both my husband and I enjoyed teacing with Jim at Illing. Always loved seeing his classes dressed up on test day!!!!!

Condolences to Carol and family.. A teacher whom provided the necessary 'push' to succeed.. His stories of The Battle of Thermopylae and The Battle of Marathon, Xerxes, and Philippides, are Classics. His policy for allowing students to turn in 20 written pages of history, with footnotes, to assist in grade security or an inctrease in a letter grade helped tremendously. His walk and gait were so distinctive, you knew whom it was, coming and goin from class( pigeon toed). He said, ' I made 2...

My sincere condolences to Carol and family. You and Mr. Moriarty (Kirk 66' History, "If you have candy, gum or any form of material in your mouth....") remain my favorite special people in the world, in my heart, and always in my thoughts.

Simply the best if all the world was like morty it would be a better place having played a lot of golf with Jim the real joy was not if you played well but the conversation and watch him and his great sense of humor he left the world abetted place I will miss him dearly