Joseph Anton Nyiri

We called him gnarly Nyiri. My art teacher Serra jr sr high school 1974-1978, he gave me a reason to not skip school. A number 2 pencil parked behind his left ear when not being used to stir his coffee. We all seemed equal in his class. He'll stay alive in my heart and thoughts. He rocked a speedo and surfboard also. Cowabunga dude. RIP Janette Lytle, Arcata CA

Joe was the first art teacher I ever had that made me feel like I was capable. He was also one of many amazing people who made me want to go into teaching myself. I am not a teacher and whenever we do a drawing or art project, I think of Mr. Nyiri. I always reflect back to how patient, joyful, and creative he was. I hope to bring that same joy that he did when I teach. Thanks, Joe.

Today I was rehanging a painting that Joe had given me in 1965. I had earned the painting by babysitting his children over several evenings. In 1965 I was 16 years old and Joe had been my art teacher in elementary school. That painting has hung in every home I have lived in and is one of my prized possessions. In 1968 Joe came to my wedding and I have a lovely photo of him in my wedding album. Several years ago, I found out that Joe and Melissa still lived on Albatros St. and he was...

Sad to know of Joe's passing. I've not seen him in a very long time but thought of him often. He was my favorite Art teacher when I was in high school and he pointed me in the right direction for my art career. He was more than a teacher. He was also a good friend and mentor. Many will miss him.

My sincere condolences to the family. Mr. Nyiri was my Art teacher many years ago. Such a nice patient and kind man. Rest well.

So sorry to hear of Mr. Nyiri´s passing. He was my favorite teacher. Serra HS 1984-86

Joe knows art! That expression arose from several summers of art camp at the Zoo. Now I have it on the back of a t-shirt, with one of his wonderful animal paintings on the front. He was a gem of a man. I accompanied my “challenging” child to camp as a class participant. After the first day, he took me aside and gently told me to just be a student and he would handle my child. That started many wonderful summer experiences with Joe. He treated my child with firm, loving respect and I loved him...

There are some people that I would rather not know that have passed and Mr.Nyiri is one of them. I could go on and on about Mr. Nyiri who knew 40+ years later I still apply things that he taught me, not just in Art either. He had a knack at identifying when someone would make paraphernalia and he would fire everyone's ceramic projects but some got broke coming out of the kiln or when he was pointing out what a wonderful piece it was to the class he would drop it stating how clumsy he was....

I absolutely adored Mr. Nyiri as my art/ceramic teacher at Serra High I took his classes till graduation!