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BORN
1935
DIED
2014
John Tunney Obituary
John was born in Littleton on December 23, 1935, the son of Arthur and Beatrice (Evans) Tunney and attended local schools in Littleton, graduating from Littleton High School in 1953. His passion for athletics led him to Captain all three major sports at Littleton High. Following graduation, John attended Norwich University from 1953-1955, majoring in Business Administration and playing baseball. In 1955 John enrolled in the University of New Hampshire to major in Geology and graduated in 1958 with a BA Degree.
From 1958-1961 John was a teacher of English and History at the Bristol School District, and he later taught English and History for eight years at Kennett High School in Conway. After completing a Master's Degree in English at UNH in 1967, John became a full Professor of English and Social Sciences at New Hampshire Community College in Concord, where he taught for 25 years. During that period, John developed a love of running marathons and other road races. He ran 11 Boston Marathons and multiple marathons in New York City, in Keene, the Clarance De Mar Marathons, and Dartmouth Medical School Marathons. John coached extensively in the boy's baseball Little League and Girls softball leagues in Concord's Northeast Section. He was a member of the Association of University and College Professors and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
John leaves his daughter, Kate Jennifer Tunney of Dover; his stepson, Daniel Frost-Ohlsen and his wife, Jenny and two sons, Cole and Jase Frost-Ohlsen of Madison, Wis.; his stepson Brady Frost and his two sons, Brennan and Ryder Frost of Beverly, Mass.; his sister, Karen Tunney Spaulding of Littleton; and his former wife, Katharine Webster Tunney of Concord.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 19th, at 10 a.m. in the Glenwood Cemetery in Littleton.
Arrangements and care have been entrusted to the Pillsbury Phaneuf Funeral Home and Crematory. For more information or to send a message of condolence, please visit pillsburyphaneuf.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Tunney
charlie hicks
July 20, 2014
Mr Tunney was one of the best teacher I had had in Bristol, NH.....but he was a terrible basketball player......my forearms still recovering from his hacking. I hope he had a wonderful life and a loving family.
Steve Wilber
July 19, 2014
Sending my sincere sympathy to John's family. Unique, quirky and one of a kind only begin to describe this wonderful soul of a professional educator. I too have nice memories of John running down Portsmouth Street over the years. I first met him in '71-72 at NHTI in my English class where I met my wife of 34 years! We both loved him!
Jonathan downs
July 18, 2014
He was a truly unique man !! RIP
Brian Wiggin
July 18, 2014
I had Mr. Tunney for English in the basement at Kennett my Sophomore year. In 1968 we dedicated our yearbook to him as he was our class advisor.
Jordy Cornog
July 18, 2014
I am very sorry for your family's loss. Sending love and condolences, and feeling much respect for your tender and challenging journey ...
joseph bolduc
July 17, 2014
So very sorry to hear of his passing..remember him well as one of my favorites...I remember the green mustang that he had maybe around 1965 or 66...
Anonymous
July 16, 2014
My condolences to John's family and friends. I know from my four years as a student at Kennett High School that his students enjoyed having him as their teacher.
Terry Mason Blake
July 16, 2014
Kate, sorry for your loss I know your dad was very proud of you. It seems like our paths kept crossing from Kennett High to NHTI. He worked for my dad for a few summers in Conway and would drop by our house at the holidays when he was in town to entertain us with a few stories:) Colorful is a great word to describe him. Our thoughts are with your whole family...
Linda Hoban
July 16, 2014
John was one of the best English teachers that Kennett High School ever had. He inspired everyone of his students to do their very best. He was always such a fun teacher and always had a sense of humor. Prayers to his family and all those that lives he has touched with his knowledge.
fran and marlene sheehan
July 16, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
chris emmel
July 16, 2014
a great and inspiring teacher...
Gordon Clapp
July 16, 2014
John was one of my more colorful mentors at any level of my education. He introduced me to the darker side of Robert Frost when he assigned "Out,out-" to my Sophomore English class at Kennett. I'd always hoped our paths would cross later in life.
Dick and Leslie Berube
July 16, 2014
John and Family,
I want to offer my deepest sympathy to his family. I had John as my English teacher at the Tech in 71-72.He made the class an exciting experience.A wonderful person who will be greatly missed and may he RIP.
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