OBITUARIES

John Monbouquette of West Dennis, an educator, 72

West Dennis
Friday, September 20, 2002

John F. Monbouquette of West Dennis, an international educator, died Wednesday at home after a battle with colon cancer. He was 72.

Born and raised in Norwood, he attended Norwood High School and then received a degree in philosophy and classical languages from St. John's Seminary in Brighton. He went on to earn master's and doctorate degrees in education from the University of Massachusetts and Boston College, respectively.

Mr. Monbouquette first taught in Colebrook, N.H., in 1954. He then returned to Norwood and began teaching Latin and English, becoming vice principal of Norwood High School in 1961 and principal in 1964.

He joined the Braintree school system in 1976, first as assistant superintendent of schools and then as superintendent, serving from 1977 to 1991.

Upon his retirement in 1991, Mr. Monbouquette established the International Educators Services consulting firm, which serves the needs of local and international schools around the world.

Always active in public education, he became president of the Massachusetts Secondary School Principal Association in 1974, and was a member of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and a member of the Educational Foundation for Dennis/Yarmouth.

He served as a consultant to the Massachusetts Department of Education and was an adjunct professor in the graduate school of the University of Massachusetts from 1975 to 1991.

Mr. Monbouquette liked to travel and formed strong ties with the international education community. He worked with the European Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, of which he was president in 1974. He served as chairman of the Committee on International Schools from 1979 to 1985.

He had enjoyed summers with his family on Cape Cod since the 1960s and was commodore of the West Dennis Yacht Club. He was also an officer of the Waterways Commission in Dennis, a member of the Cape Cod Power Squadron and a past president of the Oak Street Association in Dennisport.

Mr. Monbouquette was an avid golfer and tennis player and was very fond of ice hockey and downhill skiing. While at Norwood High School, he coached the boys hockey team and led them to the Bay State League Championship in 1964.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Faye (George); three sons, Harold of Santa Monica, Calif., John Jr. of West Roxbury and Richard of Newton; two daughters, Paula of Dedham and Linda Cangiano of Lawrenceville, N.J.; four sisters, Mary Alice McCormack of Norwood, Phyllis Palleiko of Norwood, Rita Crimmins of Norwood and Theresa Berrigan of Hingham; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Saint Pius X Church, South Yarmouth.

A reception will follow immediately at the West Dennis Yacht Club, West Dennis.

Arrangements by Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, North Attleboro.