John Francis Moran Jr.
May 23, 1944 ~ August 3, 2018 (age 74) 74 Years Old
Tribute
John Francis Moran Jr., 74 of Richmond, RI, passed away Friday, August 3rd in the arms of his loving family. An incredibly loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and friend, John will forever remain one of the kindest souls to have ever graced this earth. Calling hours for John will be held at the S.R. Avery Funeral Home, located at 3A Bank St. Hope Valley, RI from 4pm to 7pm on Tuesday, August 7th. A funeral mass will be held at St. Bernard Church, located at 275 Tower Hill Rd. North Kingstown, RI at 11am on Wednesday, August 8th.
John Francis Moran Jr. grew up in Warwick, RI with his Father (John F Moran), Mother (Loretta Cooney), and his three younger sisters (Barbara Remington, Mary Doyle, and Gail Moran). He was a member of the first graduating class of Bishop Hendricken High School, where he also volunteered to build desks and outfit the classrooms prior to the schools opening. Following his love for the classroom, John attended the University of Rhode Island in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Education. Forever a tenacious and hardworking man, John worked tirelessly as both a laundry room employee and an orderly at the Rhode Island Hospital in order to pay his way through college.
At the age of 22, John began his career as a High School Mathematics Teacher at the Chariho Regional School District, where he eagerly shared his passion for algebra for 30 years. While working at Chariho, he became deeply involved with many programs and took on the responsibilities of Bus Monitor, Detention Supervision, Summer School Classes, Wrestling Coach, Track and Field Coach, Drivers Education, and even helped found and develop the school’s first Weightlifting Program. He retired from Chariho High School in 1996 and went on to teach at both Bishop Hendricken and the Exeter Job Corps in the three years that followed. Mr. Moran continued to teach Driver’s Education until just last year. Always one to calculate and impress, John would often excitedly figure that he had taught over 10,000 students in Driver’s Education alone.
Of course, being a proud educator accounts for the bulk of his resume, but it was his incredibly vast passions and accomplishments that made John such an extraordinary character. John was a Race Car Driver and proud owner of the “Hungry Hemi”. He was the world’s best storyteller as his stories were both entertaining and endless. He was also an Olympic Weightlifter, with a 54” chest and longstanding records in his age and weight class. John was real-life Super Hero, who pulled a man from the burning wreckage of a car accident wearing only his pajamas. John was STRONG; He celebrated his 40th birthday by completing 10,000 sit-ups in a single day and was often known to prove his strength by executing push-ups with multiple people standing on his back.
And while all of this is impressive, what made John most incredible was his heart. John Francis Moran Jr loved harder than anyone on earth. He had the ability to befriend most anyone and he did so with people from all walks of life, without prejudice. His roaring laugh and beaming smile were infectious and moments spent with John were moments spent in the best of company. He was a devoted Husband to his wife Debra. He was an incredibly supportive and affectionate Father to his children Colleen and Anthony Abruzzese, John and Tiffany Moran, Jillian and Jason Colomb, Ryan Moran and Carla Assalone. John was a tremendously proud “Papa” to his beautiful grandchildren Jason, Sophia, Julia, Johnny, and Alaina. Lastly, he was a devoted friend to Paul Beaulieu, who he considered a brother. He will be sorely missed but forever in our hearts.
Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Chariho Sports Boosters or to the American Heart Association.
John Francis Moran Jr. grew up in Warwick, RI with his Father (John F Moran), Mother (Loretta Cooney), and his three younger sisters (Barbara Remington, Mary Doyle, and Gail Moran). He was a member of the first graduating class of Bishop Hendricken High School, where he also volunteered to build desks and outfit the classrooms prior to the schools opening. Following his love for the classroom, John attended the University of Rhode Island in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Education. Forever a tenacious and hardworking man, John worked tirelessly as both a laundry room employee and an orderly at the Rhode Island Hospital in order to pay his way through college.
At the age of 22, John began his career as a High School Mathematics Teacher at the Chariho Regional School District, where he eagerly shared his passion for algebra for 30 years. While working at Chariho, he became deeply involved with many programs and took on the responsibilities of Bus Monitor, Detention Supervision, Summer School Classes, Wrestling Coach, Track and Field Coach, Drivers Education, and even helped found and develop the school’s first Weightlifting Program. He retired from Chariho High School in 1996 and went on to teach at both Bishop Hendricken and the Exeter Job Corps in the three years that followed. Mr. Moran continued to teach Driver’s Education until just last year. Always one to calculate and impress, John would often excitedly figure that he had taught over 10,000 students in Driver’s Education alone.
Of course, being a proud educator accounts for the bulk of his resume, but it was his incredibly vast passions and accomplishments that made John such an extraordinary character. John was a Race Car Driver and proud owner of the “Hungry Hemi”. He was the world’s best storyteller as his stories were both entertaining and endless. He was also an Olympic Weightlifter, with a 54” chest and longstanding records in his age and weight class. John was real-life Super Hero, who pulled a man from the burning wreckage of a car accident wearing only his pajamas. John was STRONG; He celebrated his 40th birthday by completing 10,000 sit-ups in a single day and was often known to prove his strength by executing push-ups with multiple people standing on his back.
And while all of this is impressive, what made John most incredible was his heart. John Francis Moran Jr loved harder than anyone on earth. He had the ability to befriend most anyone and he did so with people from all walks of life, without prejudice. His roaring laugh and beaming smile were infectious and moments spent with John were moments spent in the best of company. He was a devoted Husband to his wife Debra. He was an incredibly supportive and affectionate Father to his children Colleen and Anthony Abruzzese, John and Tiffany Moran, Jillian and Jason Colomb, Ryan Moran and Carla Assalone. John was a tremendously proud “Papa” to his beautiful grandchildren Jason, Sophia, Julia, Johnny, and Alaina. Lastly, he was a devoted friend to Paul Beaulieu, who he considered a brother. He will be sorely missed but forever in our hearts.
Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Chariho Sports Boosters or to the American Heart Association.
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