John A. Osterman

NORWELL - As a long-time teacher and Quincy's school superintendent, John A. Osterman never underestimated the importance of the role played by career educators. ''He once said to me: 'Education isn't life and death - it's more important than that.' He lived that,'' said Carmen Mariano, Quincy's current assistant school superintendent who worked with Mr. Osterman for several years. Mr. Osterman died on Tuesday, his 74th birthday, after living for more than three years with a mechanical heart pump as a part of a study being conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. No patient had lived longer with the implant, called a left ventricular assist device, family members said. ''He was a champion of both teachers and children. I have never seen anyone who loved children as much as he did,'' Mariano said. Mr. Osterman was Quincy's school superintendent from 1984 to 1987 after spending more than three decades as a teacher and administrator in Quincy schools. Friends and colleagues yesterday repeatedly mentioned the words honesty and integrity when discussing Mr. Osterman. The school department was coping with a scandal when he took over as superintendent. City officials said he played a key role in the school system's rebound. He retired from the job when his first and only three-year contract expired in 1987. ''They wanted a nationwide search for a new superintendent at that time, but I said we have a capable guy right here in Jack,'' said City Councilor Francis X. McCauley, who was Quincy's mayor when Mr. Osterman was named superintendent. ''He was an excellent educator and an excellent administrator.'' Born in Quincy, Mr. Osterman began his teaching career in Lynnfield in 1951 after graduating from Bridgewater State College. He later earned a master's degree in education from Boston State College and also studied at Boston College and Boston University. Mr. Osterman started in Quincy in 1952 as a sixth-grade teacher at what was then the Daniel Webster School. He later became president of the Quincy Teachers' Association. He was an assistant principal at the Snug Harbor School, the former Great Hill School and the Quincy School. He was principal at the Lincoln-Hancock School and was an assistant superintendent for 11 years. Mr. Osterman, a Norwell resident, lived in Weymouth for 33 years before moving to Norwell. He was named an honorary Quincy citizen in 1971. He was a member of the National Education Association, the Quincy Retired Teachers' Association, the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, South Shore Principals' Association, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, National Association of School Principals and many more organizations. Son of the late Louis R. and Marjorie Ryan Osterman, he is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Virginia MacLean Osterman; six daughters, Susan Bartolini and her husband, Louis of Sterling, Dr. Janet Osterman and her husband, Dr. Thomas Green of Hingham, Karen Augenstern and her husband, Arthur of Hull, Ann Jordan and her husband, David of Weymouth, Margaret Cipriano and her husband, Mark of Norwell and Dr. Virginia Osterman and her husband, Dr. William Miller of Pennsylvania; four sons, John Osterman Jr. and his wife, Carol of Tewksbury, Richard Osterman and his wife, Deborah of Weymouth, Louis Osterman and his wife, Carol of Weymouth and Stephen Osterman and his wife, Monica Lynne of Wellesley; two brothers, Robert Osterman of Milton and Richard Osterman of South Carolina; a sister, Lois DaSilva of Florida; and 31 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 17, 2003 at 9 AM in St. Helen's Church, 383 Washington, Rte 53 in Norwell. Internment in Washington Street Cemetery in Norwell. Visiting hours in the Sullivan Funeral Home, 551 Washington Street, Rte 53 in Hanover on Sunday 4-7 PM. Memorial Donations may be made to the Advanced Surgical Treatment for Heart Failure Fund, c/o Brigham and Women's Hospital Development Office, attn. Cynthia Campbell, 116 Huntington Ave, Boston 02116. By Christopher Walker Patriot Ledger