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Louis A. D'Antonio
Louis A. D'Antonio
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Louis D'Antonio Obituary
D'ANTONIO, LOUIS A. 84 - prominent educator, long-time Principal of John Bartram High School, and recognized educational innovator, died August 16 in The Cape May Regional Memorial Center, Cape May Court House. Born in Philadelphia and a graduate of St. Thomas More High School, he enlisted in the US Navy at the age of seventeen, where he served on the USS Doyle, a destroyer that played a prominent role in the Normandy Invasion. He returned home, married the late Frances (Krula) D'Antonio and went on to receive degrees from West Chester University, Temple University, and The University of Pennsylvania. Louis D'Antonio began his educational career as a teacher at Gillespie Jr. High School , followed by Sayre Jr. High School. He then served as Vice Principal of Tilden Middle School. In 1968 he was appointed Principal of John Bartram High School, where he served until 1993. During a very challenging period in public education, D'Antonio created an educational environment in which "teachers could teach and students could learn." Faced with an ever-growing enrollment of more than 4500 students, D'Antonio was one of the first educational leaders in the nation to establish a campus-like organization consisting of a main building and five off-site centers-each of which addressed the particular needs of a diverse student body. His accomplishments in educational leadership earned him national, regional, and community recognition, including such prestigious honors as being named the recipient of the Marcus Foster Award, the NAACP Community Service Award, the Rose Lindenbaum Award, and the John Patterson Award. At that time, John Bartram High School was recognized by The Ford Foundation as being one of the "most outstanding high schools in the nation." He enjoyed boating, golfing, attending opera, and spending time at his summer residence in Avalon. Survivors include his son, Louis F., daughters Barbara Snacki (Fred) and Carol Seccia, four sisters, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and his beloved Elaine Marra. Interment will be private. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial mass on Friday, August 21, at St. Philomena Church, 41 E. Baltimore Avenue, Lansdowne, at 10:30am, preceded by a visitation from 9:30 to 10:30am. Louis D'Antonio will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and the thousands of teachers and students whose lives he touched. Contributions may be made to the St. Philomena Church, Louis A. D'Antonio Scholarship Fund for High School Students.
This obituary was originally published in The Press of Atlantic City.
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Margie Franklin
August 13, 2023
Sept 30th and October 1st of 2022 the graduating class of 71 celebrated our 50th year anniversary. Originally planned for 2021 we postponed due to Covid.
What a time we had! We did set up a remembrance table to remember those no longer with us. Dr DAntonio was remembered also. I know he would have smiled at our dancing the night away. He would have shared a few words and been very proud of us. We actually took a class picture where we didn’t look like a bunch of rowdy’s lol. I know he would have been happy to see Ms Garrett there. I would have loved for him to have been in that picture.
He will always be remembered. He was a great man. A great leader. And a great Principal! ❤
Rev. Margie Carpenter Franklin
August 14, 2022
As we come upon celebrating our Class of 71 50th year reunion my thoughts go back to High School. We were just children embarking on new journeys. How proud he must have been of us as we graduated. Another class through and the start of a new class going through. I remember him speaking at our 20th year reunion as our key note speaker. The 20th year was our first reunion. I saw him looking at us, proudly. He was always a good man with a big understanding heart. I pray we have all learned from his example.
A great man.
Joseph orourke
August 15, 2021
He was a good man and good teacher and leader by example...rip...
Margie Franklin
August 13, 2020
It’s hard for me to help plan the class of 71’s 50th year reunion without wishing he were able to be a part of our celebration. He was a great man.
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Margie Franklin
August 13, 2019
How apropo to receive a reminder to share a remembrance of our beloved Mr DAntonio just as we are at the cusp of planning our 50th class of 1971 reunion. As Monica Lewis Jones, Cecelia Cooke Williams, Pamela Coleman Beaty, Pamela Awkward Spruel and I were on our conference call I wistfully said I wish Mr D was still with us. I was thinking how proud he would have been at us having lead successful lives. We did it Mr D!! Your effort and determination to educate us was not in vain. We did it!! Thank you for fighting for us.
April 10, 2019
Dad,
Missing you everyday and hoping and praying you are with Mom and the rest of the family
having fun and sitting down at those big family meals. Just want to say hi to you and mom and miss you very much.
Love
Carol
Love Carol
August 16, 2017
In my heart
Love Carol
August 16, 2017
Dad just want to tell you that today was a very sad day for me when you left us. Talk and think of you everyday and I know you are thinking of us. You are in my heart all the time and truly missed. Miss you and love you say hi to the rest of the family for me. Sending you all my love. Love always!!❤❤
May 22, 2017
I fondly remember Mr. D as a no nonsense administrator who expected and demanded the best from all of us..whether we were headed into the military, workforce or off to college.
-Isaac Stanley
JBH Class of 1969
Isaac Stanley
May 22, 2017
I fondly remember Mr.D as a no nonsense administrator who expected the best from all of us.
Isaac Stanley
JBH Class of 1969
Margie Carpenter Franklin
February 24, 2017
Memories of Dr D.
John Bartram High School, class of 1971
Joseph Orourke
February 23, 2017
I was a Bartram student in 1967 to 1971 he was a good man vaya con dios Louis d...
March 11, 2012
I am just finding out that Mr D. passed
He was not just a great principal
but a great man
Sometimes life is like a mirror
What we give, we receive
And the love he's shown to others
In their mind will never leave
Ups and downs,
we know he had a few
But that never dimmed his smile
And that smile he shared with us daily
In our spirit, it remains
Margie Carpenter Franklin
John Bartram High School Class of 1971
See pictures of our 20th year reunion on my facebook page. Mr D. was our keynote speaker. We would not have had it any other way!
Renee Howard
September 12, 2009
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of " Mr. D ".I was a student at JB High from 69 to 73 . I wasn't always the one of the easiest students to deal with,I was always in trouble for one thing or the other.He never gave up on me,even when I had given up on myself ,he gave me one more chance. I vividly remember sitting in his office and he said to me " What am I going to do with you ,You are one of my brightest students but you are crazy ! I could believe he said that and neither did he. We both burst out laughing and couldn't stop.He sent me back to class (without punishment)and to make a long story short. I graduated with honors received a scholarship from Temple U and never looked back. I am sorry I never got the chance to tell Mr D what a difference he made in a young african american girl's life. He did it long before it was popular !!! REST in PEACE Mr. D you will always be remembered.
Jannette Singletary-Adams
September 9, 2009
Mr. D'Antonio was simply the best. During my (1969-73) and my sister's (1965-69) years at Bartram we always found him to be amenable and approachable. I will fondly remember him and his leadership for all students. I was in the first class to attend Motivation School in the annex facility. That experience was invaluable in that it provided one of the earliest holistic exposure to education in my life. His visionary leadership and support made that program a reality that was still in force when my nephew attended and graduated Bartram five years ago. He will be missed.
Joseph Starinieri
September 9, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Louis D'Antonio was a pioneer and a legend with the Philadelphia School District. He was the first to design thematic annexes that met the needs of the students we serviced. After Mr. D'Antonio retired, John Bartram High School was never the same. As a principal, I often think about the strategies that Mr. D'Antonio had utilized to solve some of the issues that I deal with on an ongoing basis. He was a remarkable person who brought insight, intellect and leadership in making sound decisions. He inspired me to become a principal. I will miss him dearly.
Kathleen D'Annunzio-McCaffrey
September 7, 2009
Dear Carol and Barbara: I was so saddened to hear of your dad's passing. I just found out YESTERDAY (9/6/09) - from a friend down here at the shore who saw the obit in the Herald. Please accept my sincere condolences. Your father was a wonderful man. My mom and dad really loved him alot. Give my regards to the Aunts and Elaine, as well. Cousin Kathy
Peggy Roarty
August 31, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Thomas Dougherty
August 28, 2009
It’s with the highest respect and admiration for Mr. D’Antonio that I express my condolences to his family and loved ones. I had the extremely good fortune to begin my teaching career under his astute leadership. The subsequent twelve years laid the foundation for a variety of administrative positions beyond John Bartram High School for which he strongly promoted. His warm, yet firm demeanor has been a model I have attempted to emulate daily. There is not a challenge or opportunity in my school building that I would not reflect first on how Mr. D would address it. His inspiration will forever impact on my decisions and for that alone I will be forever grateful. We may be assured that he is now resting well in God’s hands.
Thomas Dougherty, Assistant Principal
Abraham Lincoln High School, Philadelphia, PA
August 25, 2009
Regina Perrulli
Linda Banks-Cartwright
August 23, 2009
Mr. D was a great principal during my years at Bartram and will be remembered with fondness. My sincere condolences to the D'Antonio family.
Class of 1973
August 23, 2009
May you rest in peace Uncle Lou! Now your up there with uncle Tony and Danny! My condolesence to the D' Antonio family. Luv
Alfonso Contrisciani, 3rd, New Albany, Ohio
Lila Abraham Haley
August 21, 2009
May it comfort you to know that Mr. D'Antonio was loved, admired and respected by many, many student's whose lives he touched and inspired. (John Bartram Class of 1973)
Dale Mezzacappa
August 21, 2009
When I was still new on the education beat for The Philadelphia Inquirer he helped me figure out the real issues in covering the school district. Unlike many principals, he welcomed the press into his school. He was ahead of his time in breaking up his school into smaller units and holding high standards for all his students.
Plus, he looked like my father.
Condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
Anthony Austin
August 21, 2009
I express my sincere love and condloences to the D'Antonio family. God Bless!
Antoinette Cobb
August 21, 2009
I may not remember alot of people and things from my high school years at John Bartram, but I remember Mr D. he was a good man
Deborah Peters-Price
August 21, 2009
Thank you Mr. D for supporting the staff around you at a time when you understood, the importance of diversifying what the system offered
You supported the formation of the Annex- Human Services School for Bartram. It was one of the best experiences of my life! You were tough, but you cared....and it made a difference in my life
Have rest, peace and happiness with the Lord.
God comfort your family at this time.
Rayfield Harper
August 21, 2009
It is with fond memories and deep regret that accompany my condolences to the family in this time of grief. I is my prayer that God has called him home with the words "Well done my good and faithful servant", And also that they rejoice that his trials are over. He has made such and impact on my life that there is not space enough for me to write.
May God Bless you all in this time of sorrow
August 21, 2009
May His Legacy Live On...
Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and the difficult days ahead.
May the memories you hold in your heart not be of pain and sorrow but bring you smiles, peace, and healing for every tommorrow.
With our deepest sympathy,
Cousin Joey & Terri DiAntonio
Cape May Court House, NJ
Marnita (Byrd) Adams
August 20, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
It was because of Mr. D'Antonio's insight in the creation of smaller schools that I was able to succeed in becoming a teacher. I encourage all who read this to not to give up, but always continue to learn and grow.
Motivation Class of '73
Now Northeast High School science teacher
Nichole Nikolic (Nichols)
August 20, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Joanne R.
August 19, 2009
Mr. D'Antonio was a great principal of John Bartram High School. I am honored to have been a part of his faculty from 1975-1993, when he retired. He maintained a safe, clean, respectful atmosphere where both students and adults felt appreciated and safe.
He always encouraged input and ideas to improve instruction.
I pray that all who have had the opportunity to know him find peace and comfort knowing that he is now in God's hands. May you find comfort in the memories from a life well lived.
August 19, 2009
Mr. D was a very Special Principal always wanted to best for his students. I am a better person because he was a part of my life
Barbara R.
Motivation Class of "74"
Angelique McCoy-Muniz
August 19, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Mr. D'Antonio was my Principal at John Bartram High School out of all the High Schools in Philly (public and private)Mr. D'Antonio had Bartram completely under control and had the utmost respect from the entire student body. I'm class of 1988 and I've always bragged on occasion how we had one of the most cleanest, safest, and well respected Principal's all of Philadelphia! He really cared about his school and it showed. I remember when he would come through the main corridor all the boys that would be wearing hats in the building would quickly take it off and that was one of Mr. D'Antonio's pet peaves along with cleaniness. We all new Mr. D'Antonio did not play when it came to education and he was very proud of his students and faculty at Bartram. He was a great man and his Legacy lives on always and forever. Love Angelique McCoy-Muniz Class of 1988 the Bartram Braves!!!! May God Bless him and his family you guys should be very proud as I am.
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