Arthur Joseph Hull

Centreville - Dr. Arthur J. Hull, age 88, died on September 27, 2024 in Falls Church, Virginia, surrounded by his loving children. Art is survived by son Thomas AJ Hull and his wife Amy Hull (née Keaney), and their children Katie and Jack; by daughter Margaret (Meg) Hull; by son David I. Hull and his wife Stephanie Hull (née Richard), and their daughters Abby and Emma; and by his ex-wife, Lisa Hull (née Glendy). A mass is planned at Saint Catherine's (549 Washington St, Norwood, MA) at 10am on Saturday, July 26, 2025, with a reception to follow at Lewis' (92 Central St, Norwood, MA) at 11:30am.



Art was born in Boston in 1936 to Arthur and Margaret Hull (née Drummey). He grew up in and around Norwood, graduating from Norwood High School in 1954. Art earned a bachelor's and master's in English from Boston College, a master's of education from Bridgewater State, and a doctorate in education from Boston University.



After graduating from BC, Art proudly served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where his military occupational specialty was KP duty. He and his fellow guardsman changed the motto of the force from "Sleep well, your National Guard is awake" to "Sleep well, your National Guard is."



Art often joked that he had never been west of Framingham or south of Providence, but just after his military service he spent a year in Jamaica, serving as a lay missionary in a program that was JFK's model for the Peace Corps. He taught English in Annotto Bay, Jamaica, and fell in love with service to others, with the profession of teaching, and with Pickapeppa Sauce. He went on to become an English teacher, department head, and curriculum coordinator for the Walpole Public Schools, serving for 40 years.



Art was a Shakespeare scholar, and loved to share The Bard's work with his students and his family. Most recently, he read and analyzed several plays with his eldest granddaughter Katie, who is inspired to become a writer herself.



Art also worked as a summer special police officer on Cape Cod during many of his summers off from Walpole. His most dangerous encounter was the time a family of skunks walked right over his feet while he was sleeping on duty.



Art was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox, and of Ted Williams in particular, whom he would gladly explain to you was The Greatest Hitter of All Time. Our family is eternally grateful for the four Red Sox championships that he was able to celebrate in the later years of his life.



Art was practically an ascetic. He bought his cars well used, often selecting a maroon-colored Mercury Grand Marquis, and would then drive them (at 42 miles per hour) into the ground. He never gave much thought to his wardrobe. He was instead concerned with more important things, like the dynamic range of his speakers, or the number of ball bearings in his fishing reels.



An audiophile, he was consumed with creating high fidelity sound in his listening room. He proudly owned refrigerator-sized Klipschorn speakers for his entire adult life. He later upgraded to B&W 802s and even acknowledged, begrudgingly, that high-quality streaming sounds almost as good as an LP on the turntable. He was one of the first fans of rock & roll in 1955, and was often heard putting on a falsetto to sing a Clyde McFatter or Little Richard tune.



Art was a cinephile as well, taking in at least two movies a day in retirement. He took his elementary-aged children out of school to see Star Wars in May 1977, and regularly screened classics for the family, including Casablanca, The Court Jester, Jaws, Blazing Saddles, James Bond, Kurosawa films, and anything you might find on Turner Classic Movies. And of course, he asked us about the deeper meaning behind every movie: was Alien an allegory for the lurking communist threat? was Forrest Gump about the providential will of God?



Art was gifted a snake after reading Paradise Lost with one of his first classes at Walpole High School. Art went on to own at least four more snakes over the years, all of whom were named "Reggie" after the snake that appears in the opening minutes of Raiders of the Lost Ark.



Art loved fishing, and was a terror to the bass, trout, and perch of Lake Wequaquet and the Neponset Reservoir. Other than his massive speakers, his most prized possession was his aluminum-hulled, 15-foot, 25HP bass boat. Many would be embarrassed to be seen on such a wreck. But in his early retirement, he joyfully spent five or six days a week fishing on his boat. He never ate a fish, however - only maimed them.



Art did well by doing good. He was a Man for All Seasons. He didn't bend with the wind - his love for his family, his philosophical convictions, his dedication to his students, and his faith in God were constants throughout his life. He took these things seriously, but thankfully he never took himself seriously. Any Walpole High School yearbook will show him holding a book upside down, with a look of utter confusion on his face. He teased us all gently, often noting a deficiency and following it with "I'm not looking to make trouble!"



Art was a great friend, and inspired great friendships. He filled his life - and our lives - with intelligent, kind, and loyal friends. And he would gladly strike up a conversation with anyone, about anything, from religion to politics to science, from a lecture hall to Lewis'.



Most importantly, Art was our dad. He took every opportunity to tell us that he loved us, that we made him happy, that he was proud of us. Of course, the reverse is true as well: we couldn't be prouder of the man he was, or of the influence he had on thousands as a friend, teacher, and mentor. We love him and will miss him forever.



Art wrote this poem to read at his son David's wedding in 2010:



May love and grace your life's cup fill,

For there's but one draught there.

And with that wish I'll make an end,

For that's my own life's prayer.



We are glad to report that his cup overflowed, and that he joyfully shared it with us, and with you.



His granddaughter Katie asked to include the following:

Art Hull (my Grandpa) always used to read Shakespeare with me, and he had a great taste in books. But not only did he pick the best stories, he told them too. Grandpa had so many interesting adventures, and frankly, they should make a movie about him. My favorites include the time he met Little Richard and invited him to dinner, or the crazy antics of his friends Red Wheaton or Bobby Smith. I know I should probably say something about how much I miss him, and believe me, I miss him more than anyone in the world. But I don't think my grandpa would want his obituary to be about the sadness his passing brought. I think he would want it to be the happiness he brought everyone while he was still with us. He brought so much joy and inspiration to so many people. He's the reason I want to be an author when I grow up. I will definitely make a book about all his amazing adventures. I love you Grandpa, and all your heaven friends are lucky to have you.