Beloved Teacher, Ty Vignone at NNHS, Passes Away
Posted by Mia on Sunday, November 27, 2016 · Leave a Comment
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Ty Vignone, longtime history teacher at Newton North, passed away on Saturday, November 26, after a battle with cancer. Ty began his career at Day Junior High School in 1965. In 1983, Ty moved to Newton North and continued teaching here through this fall. Ty’s impact on people goes beyond Newton North’s walls as he was a mentor and friend to so many students, teachers and parents throughout the Newton Public Schools. Newton North is where Ty left his greatest influence and will be best known for creating the Close Up program as well as the Prague Summer Trip.
School counselors will be available to support students who are impacted by Mr. Vignone’s death. Additionally, History and Social Sciences Department Chair Jon Bassett will contact students currently enrolled in Close Up and their families regarding the plans for the course for the rest of the school year.
Ty will be sorely missed. I have copied the obituary for Ty that has more information about his life and plans for honoring Ty.
VIGNONE, Ty Was born in E. Longmeadow, MA in 1937. He was the son of the late Daniel and Marion and the brother of Tim. Prior to his 51-year career as a teacher, he served in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia from 1962 to 1964. Ty began teaching at Day Junior High School in Newton in 1965. He moved to Newton North High School in 1983, and taught there until this year. Ty instituted two programs for students that were often life-changing. One was the Close-Up Program, when he and his students would spend the week in Washington, D.C. learning about the government first hand. In recognition of his tenure and his dedication to teaching students about government, Ty was recognized by both Joe Kennedy, III and Elizabeth Warren last year. Another was the Prague Summer Program that Ty established in 1990. For many students, their participation in the program was the most memorable event of their high school lives. Over a three-week period, they studied with him in Prague, Krakow, and Berlin. He also was a mentor to countless young teachers over the years. Throughout his career, Ty received numerous teaching awards. Ty was a presence and no one loved life more than he did. No matter where he went, he made connections immediately, and always had a following. Ty made life-long friends with many co-workers in the Peace Corps and fellow skiers. He was an inspiration to his fellow teachers. He also exposed many friends and colleagues to far reaching corners of the globe. Many will recall with nostalgia “Ty-trips” to Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and countless other countries in the world. In spite of the large number of people in his life, his friendships were genuine, reciprocal, unconditional, lasting, and acquired greater depth as they grew over the years. His students and his friends were his life. And those relationships continue in spirit. We will all miss you, Ty, but you are still a part of our lives. Burial will be private, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made, in his memory, to the: Ty Vignone Student Travel Assistance Fund, c/o Newton North High School, 457 Walnut St., Newtonville, MA 02460.
View the online memorial for Ty VIGNONE
