John A. WATERHOUSE

I came to realize that my understanding and belief in American democracy amid these crazy times came down to this outstanding man who taught us “nipmunks” about civics, government, and patriotism. All these years later I am still thinking about him and his profound effect on who I am. Thank you, Mr. Waterhouse, may you rest in peace.

Peter Terwilliger
GHS ‘83

I saw Mr. Waterhouse mentioned on Facebook (2024), and I searched him in Google. I sadly expected that the search would lead me here. He was a wonderful teacher, he tolerated and answered all of my questions. One humorous anecdote - one of his quizzes was simply to write out the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution. Schoolhouse Rock was big on Saturday morning cartoons on ABC (pre-Cartoon Network), and one of the cartoons in that series was a song that quotes the Preamble word for word. While...

John Waterhouse was a member of Alpha Pi Tau Fraternity at Keene State College, Keene, NH. John was not only a fraternity brother of mine but a very good friend while we were at Keene. We were both history majors and had many classes together. He was a quiet but moving force. I was shocked when I heard the news...questions one's own mortality, esp. if you both are the same age! You are and will continue to be missed.
Kenneth Morris, KSC '64, U.S. Army Retired

Its now been 25 years since graduating and after all the elapsed time, one of the few clear memories I have of GHS is of John Waterhouse. The most good natured, inspiring and decent soul I have ever had the privilege of having as a teacher. High School was very difficult. I had had difficulties due to a misunderstood, problematic nervous disorder going back to 6th grade. I didn't feel like much of a person in High School and nobody demonstrated more respect and decency than Mr....

I can still picture Mr. Waterhouse’s American History classroom at Gideon Wells Junior High in the late 70s. He towered over the front of the room, but it wasn’t his physical presence that kept us rapt to all he said. He was an engaging and entertaining teacher—one of the few teachers I remember well from Jr. High. He leaves a legacy in the thousands of students who paused in the Glastonbury public school system so he could open our eyes, our ears and our minds to the value of history and...

Mr. Waterhouse was an example of what a true educator should be. I was lucky enough to work with him for three years at GHS. After retiring from teaching, Mr. Waterhouse came back to GHS to educate those in the special education department. While serving as a long term substitute, I was given the honor of being able to teach in front of him. Mr. Waterhouse encouraged me, supported me and gave me words of wisdom I will carry with me. Mr. Waterhouse told me in our last conversation, days...

Mr waterhouse thank you everything you were
a great teacher best regards to your family
you will be sorrowly missed
marty bretschneider class of 1975

Back in the early 1970s, when I was in his classroom at Gideon Welles Middle School, Mr. Waterhouse was someone who challenged us not just to learn events in American history but to engage actively in thoughtful, vigorous and respectful dialog with each other, and acknowledge and take up our civic responsibilities. He taught us to be active and involved citizens, at an exciting time when the 26th amendment was fresh and many of us looked forward to the opportunity to vote at 18, while we...