Mr. Morrissey, English Teacher, Coach, to Retire

By Zach Richards and Brenna Tongue. ’24

When the final bell rings, Mr. John Morrissey will step away from Room 212 marking the end of an era that began over 30 years ago. He will depart with the earned respect and appreciation of the staff and students. 

Mr. Morrissey began teaching at East Longmeadow High School in 1991, having just graduating from Trinity College in Connecticut where he also played football. Over the course of his career, he has taught seniors, freshmen, and Public Speaking. 

As a teacher and coach, he set an example still followed by his former players, now his colleagues, Mr. Mike Morrisino and Mr. Abel Lee. He has even seen Mr. Frank Paige, the ELHS principal, go from student and football player to his boss.

“It’s kind of actually great to see them,” Mr. Morrissey said. “You know, they were students here, they grew up here, and then they went away and they came back. They sort of come back home as it were, even if they’re not living in town.”

Education and ELHS are not the same as when he started. 

“You know, I’ve seen a lot of change over the years,” he said. “Things are done differently now, but overall it’s been great. It’s great people, great kids. Really positive experience.”

One reward of teaching has been building bonds with students.

“Some teachers like Ms.Clini are really kind of parental,” he said. “They do a great job teaching, but they’re also kind of that parental figure to kids. I’m definitely not that style, but I would hope that kids would feel that they could come to me with a problem or an issue and that if I couldn’t give them an answer I could at least point them in the right direction. I would hope that they know that I care. I hope they feel like, you know, I’m in their corner.” 

Mr. Morrissey was also in their corner on the football field. His legacy is clear to the players he coached. They were freshmen, mostly first and second-year players who didn’t always win their games, but Mr. Morrissey was undeterred.

“Coach Morrissey emphasized continuous improvement every day we stepped onto the field and in the community,” Coach Mike Morrissino said. “His composed and focused leadership style stood out.  I admired his patience, his lead-by-example approach, and his readiness to face every challenge head-on.”

His players appreciated his leadership.

“I will never forget our ride home from Westfield,” Morrissino said. “We totally deserved the chewing out we got that day, something that we took ownership for. As a group we wanted to be better from that moment on, not because he chewed us out, but because he expected better from us and we let him down that day.”

As ELHS football coaches Mr. Morrisino and Mr. Abel Lee follow his example.

“To this day, I strive to emulate this commitment as a standard for the football program,” Morrisino said. “Every play presents an opportunity to make a difference, a mindset instilled by Coach Morrissey. Throughout my tenure at ELHS, I’ve had the privilege of being coached and mentored by exceptional individuals, with Coach Morrissey standing out as one of the best and some one I looked up to.”

Mr. Lee agreed.

“Having Coach Morrissey as a teacher, coach and a colleague has been an honor,” he said. “He is a good man with good values that he tries to instill in every student he has in front of him. I still remember conversations with Coach Morrissey from when I was in high school that I still think about today.”

As a coach, Mr. Morrisino understands Mr. Morrissey’s contributions first hand. 

“The sacrifices of long hours that come with the job of coaching football and not living in East Longmeadow,” Mr. Morrisino said. “ The time spent away from his family to shape us into better individuals for the community are deeply appreciated and respected more and more as I got into the profession. He cared about us not only as football players but as young men.”

He took time away from his family to shape them into better individuals for the community, something Morrisino appreciates now that he’s a coach.

Mr. Morrissey currently works as a ranger at Stanley Park in Westfield. It’s a job he’ll continue in retirement.

“I am what they call a park ranger. Stay in the park in Westfield. Basically, you’re kind of part-time security. You’re a little bit of a setup for different events. You’re like a park ambassador. I just try and make sure that people are comfortable and keep things safe. It’s a nice place to work.”