Saturday, April 2, 2005

Donald Lafferty, principal of Oyster River High School

 SOMERSWORTH — Donald T. Lafferty, 55, of Sherwood Glen, a dedicated educator and principal of Oyster River High School, died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, following a one-year illness.

Born Dec. 15, 1949, in Berlin, he was the son of James E. and Madeleine M. (Lavoie) Lafferty. 

He was a graduate of Berlin High School, Class of 1967, and received his bachelor of science degree from Plymouth State College, Class of 1971, and received his masters of education from Antioch College in 1993.

He began his distinguished teaching career at Berlin Middle School in 1971, where he taught seventh- and eighth-grade math. He had served his constituency in many capacities over the past 34-year period. He was a math teacher in Berlin school system for 21 years, principal of Berlin Junior High School for two years, athletic director at Berlin High School for nine years, assistant principal at Berlin High School for two years, principal of Berlin High School for five years, softball and girl’s basketball coach at Berlin High School for several years and for the past 3½ years, principal at Oyster River High School. During his three years at Oyster River, as well as in Berlin, he was highly respected and maintained an open-door policy and remained highly committed to his students and staff.

He participated in many sports during his high school and college days. He served the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association in many capacities including on the Finance Committee, Coaches Education Committee, Representative Council, Appeals Board, Sportsmanship Committee, Ice Hockey Committee and recently as president of NHIAA. He had always been available and willing to serve in any capacity for the betterment of education and interscholastic athletics. His friendship, expertise and involvement have been greatly appreciated. For several years he was also involved with Special Olympics.

He was a member of N.H. Association of School Principals and served on the committee to evaluate teachers’ education at New Hampshire colleges. While in Berlin, he was involved with the court diversion task force, positively supporting troubled youth. 

Family members include his wife of nearly 35 years, M. Kathleen (Ronan) Lafferty of Somersworth; one son, Shawn T. Lafferty of Rollinsford; one daughter Melissa J. Mitchell and her husband, Casey, of Rollinsford; his twin brother, Ronald L. Lafferty and his wife, Cheryl, of Wrentham, Mass.; two sisters, Gail Yorkell and her husband, William, of Nashua and Ann M. MacDonald of Pensacola, Fla.; two grandchildren, Samuel D. and Sophie K. Mitchell of Rollinsford; nieces and nephews.

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The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2 p.m. Sunday at Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. The funeral will be conducted in Tasker Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Sunday with Sister Monique Therriault, chaplain at Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Berlin, officiating. Cremation will follow. A time of fellowship will continue following the funeral service at Oyster River High School Cafeteria, Coe Drive, Durham. 

The family requests family flowers only. It is suggested that those who desire, make memorial donations to the Donald T. Lafferty Educational Scholarship Fund, c/o Gary Bisson and Timothy Forestall, Berlin High School, 550 Willard St., Berlin, NH 03570. 

Please go to www.taskerfh.com for more information or to sign the online guestbook.

From www.fosters.com-

Friday, April 1, 2005
Oyster River High principal dies after long illness
 By HIROKO SATO
Democrat Staff Writer
[email protected]

DURHAM — Oyster River High School is mourning the death of Principal Donald T. Lafferty, 55, who died Thursday evening after battling cancer.

“I can feel a tremendous amount of sadness from students,” said School Board Chair JoAnn Portalupi, who spent time this morning at the school. “He was well liked by the faculty and students.” 

Lafferty’s death came less than two weeks after Superintendent Thomas Carroll had a heart attack and died. Lafferty had been on medical leave since mid-December when his illness progressed, and he was expected to resign from his position at the end of June.

Lafferty took the helm at the high school in July 2001 after spending three decades as a teacher and administrator in Berlin, including five years as the Berlin High School principal. Impressed with his experience and leadership skills, the Oyster River School District officials chose Lafferty, who was 51 at that time, out of 20 candidates for the job.

In an interview with Foster’s Daily Democrat in June 2001, Lafferty said he immediately felt comfortable with faculty, staff and students. “Whenever you go looking for a job, you want to look for a fit and it seemed that Mr. Carroll and I both have similar ideas on education,” he told Foster’s.

Portalupi said this morning Lafferty’s legacy includes his leadership role over the high school construction project.

“He was really instrumental helping to see the high school construction project move along,” Portalupi said. 

Lafferty also fostered a sense of community among the faculty and students, she added. “He had a wonderful sense of humor.”

Portalupi said Lafferty’s death has saddened students because he has been involved in their lives through athletic activities and in many other ways. 

“For many students, this is a personal loss,” Portalupi said.

The faculty met this morning before school started and shared the news with students in the first period, according to Portalupi. A poster board has been put up at the school where students can write condolences and express their feelings, she said.

The school has also set aside a space in the building for students and faculty who might need a quiet place to sort out their emotions. 

Portalupi said the school district has a strong support network and that she feels confident everyone will get through the tough time.

Lafferty lived in Somersworth with his wife, Kathleen. The couple has two grown children, Melissa and Shawn, who live nearby.

Funeral arrangements for Lafferty are incomplete. 

Richard Gremlitz, of Durham, was chosen last month to serve as interim principal at Oyster River High School. 

Gremlitz began his career in education in 1968 as a teacher at Portsmouth High School and served as principal from 1997 through his retirement in 2003. 

The High School Principal Search Committee is conducting interviews with candidates. The School Board hopes to name a new principal by July 1.

Interim Superintendent Thomas Zarnowski was not available for comment this morning.