John Joseph Costantini Jr.

I just popped open a can of La Croix and thought of Mr. Constanini and was shocked and saddened to find his obituary. He was my 10th grade English teacher at CHS and I remember he always had a La Croix on his desk and the "rabbit halo" behind his chair. He definitely made a lasting impression on me if I still think of him 13 years later.

It goes to show how much someone has impacted your life when you search for them almost 20 years later. Doc was my 10th grade English teacher. I remember before I even started 10th grade, I told my 2-year older sister's friends that I had "some teacher named Mr. Constantini as my English professor." Their response? "Make sure you try to answer his questions and don't hold back. He likes participation." Luckily, I took that to heart and it paid off. Fast forward to the first day of class and...

I have learned of Docs passing very late. He was my favorite teacher at any level, including college. I still tell the story of answering a question in English 3B (84) regarding a poem we had read, and his response. No... Oh... No, no, .....no. Nothing could be further from the truth! He was always passionate, and honest, and loved by those of us fortunate enough to be his students. Rock music lyric analysis was the best unit ever. I learned a whole new appreciation for music thanks to this...

Today marks my brother's 71st birthday. Happy Birthday Skip!
I miss our long conversations and I'll always regret we never got around to that 'reading list' you were going to give me.
I wish you peace.

One of the most influential teachers in my life, I pursued a college degree in film and even married a cinematographer, in part because of Doc's impact. I remember in HS (I graduated from Oakland Mills in 1976) I screened Hiroshima Mon Amour at my house and Doc attended. Remember discussing WH Auden. Last saw Doc in 1980 at a party, but thought of hime frequently. Great teacher and human being. Sorry i didn't see him more recently and missed the service. Praying for his eternal repose.

I was so saddened to learn today that Mr Costantini passed away. In my lifetime as a learner and educator, I can say without hesitation that he was the most brilliant, passionate scholar and teacher that I ever knew.

May he rest in peace and may we meet again, someday, so that he can explain "The Emperor of Ice-Cream" to me!

- Amy McGough

On behalf of his family, I want to thank so many of my brother's students and friends for their kind words; and for the number of you who showed up at the funeral home.

He would be thrilled to know he'd influenced you to the point of taking your time to remember him in a variety of ways.

Bob Costantini

Like many others, Doc was hands down my favorite and most memorable teacher. I can still remember studying for his Monday morning vocabulary tests- every Monday, all year!! This man truly cared about his students and made us all want to reach higher. You will be missed, but never forgotten! My sincere condolences to the family. I only had him for a year, and he had a true impact on me- how lucky you were to have him for all these years!

Mr. Costantini was my all-time favorite teacher - bar none. He went above and beyond the curriculum and made us write book reports and study vocabulary. I still remember his end of year vocabulary test of around 300 words. I credit him for my verbal SAT score and my college grades. He also made English fun by having his students study popular music lyrics, such as Pink Floyd. His legacy will live on in all of his students. More teachers should strive to be like him.