JOHN GUARNASCHELLI

My name is Scott Bolson your father changed my life I ended up going to prison but your father was always there for me he wrote a letter to the parole board for me I was very sad and to find out that he passed away I have no words for what he gave me but I'll keep it with me for the rest of my life I was one of his students at queensborough and he remained my friend throughout life thank you and I'm sorry for your loss he was a great man

Professor Guarnaschelli taught me how to think. He led an honors section of History 101 at Washington University in the mid-1960s, in which, through his incisive and sometimes caustic comments on my writing, I figured out how to examine data carefully and draw non-stupid conclusions. I was not in touch with him after we both left St. Louis, but I owed him big-time in my later academic life (as a Cornell-trained English professor for 40+ years).

I got to know John recently, a gentleman visiting Montreal from NYC came to the Men's Circle I host knew John personally and he was kind enough to send me John's Common Ground booklet as a guide and introduced me to his videos, he had so many good things to say about him not only as a thinker and practitioner, but as a caring human-being. A true inspiration, so much respect for this man and all he did for men and the communities and legacy he built.

I had the honor of attending John's class at Queensborough Community College in the early 70's. His enthusiasm was unparalleled- my best memory was his jumping onto a desk and acting out the War of 1812.

A wonderful teacher in early-mid 1960s of Yale undergrads - smart, thoughtful, funny, kind and helpful.
cbo YC66

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of John and the ways that he helped me. I'm still here because of him.

Hello Maria & Alex,
I must've spoke with John just days or a week or two before his passing. I had mailed him a book of poetry and then not heard from him. For whatever reason it's taken me this long to seek out more. I had a nagging feeling all through the fall. My love to the two of you.

John was one of the most special people to me and though we saw each other with great infrequency for years we would call each other on birthdays each year. Your husband and father was...

To Maria and Alex,
I knew John well from all my tours he went on, and think of him regularly. He was a good friend and loved you both very much. Seeing him each year was a highlight and I miss him very much. Love to both of you.