Oyster River High principal dies after long illness

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.