My condolences go to you and your family Lee... not sure if you remember me,  but we were friends as children and I spent some times at your house in Greenacres, your dad was always very nice to me, even though he did not really know me.  The world has lost a good man.

With heartfelt sympathy first to the family of Mr. Slattery, the Suncoast High School Administrative staff, faculty and students.  I did not know Mr. Slattery personally, but had the opportunity to work with his classes as a retired educator.  It was evident though working with and observing his students that he was an exemplary educator; his classroom management procedures were exceptional.  Also, his students were of high calibre and their skills were simply awesome.  I know that he will be truly missed. 
Sincerely,  Ms. Lucille Johnson, Retired Educator, Computer Science and Business

Mr. Slattery changed my life in more ways than I even knew possible. Every day I recognize his teachings in myself and in my classmates. He gave every one of his students a personalized lesson on how to excel. He helped us find ourselves and was always (and I do mean always) there to help each and every student find their place in the world. He helped many before me discover where they wanted to go in life, and more importantly, he taught us how to make the trip one wicked party.  

He will always live in the joy of those he left behind, and I hope with all my heart that his close friends and family will forever find happiness in his memory.

All my love to the Slattery family.

Mr. Slattery had such an influence on
Stacey (class of 2002). We feel her
success at the University of Florda and her career in Atlanta is a direct
reflection on Mr. Slattery and the 
influence he had on all of his students.  
Suncoast students have lost a 
remarkable teacher who truly cared
about each of his students and their
futures.
Our prayers to his family.

I was one of John's computer science professors at FAU, and my daughter Rachel worked with John at Suncoast. John was a wonderful student, and through Rachel I learned that he was a wonderful teacher. We are all the better for knowing John.

Tee world is a sadder place without John.  He was always happy and ready with a quick joke to make people laugh.  His students and fellow teachers at Suncost will miss him terribly.  My prayers and thoughts are with his family.

John was a ray of sunshine.He always had a broad smile and a jovial comment.He had a distinctive look and a distinctive teaching style. , perhaps ,in part, to his wonderful wife and five kids.I hold 19 years of fond memories as his colleague.. John was loved and admired by students and faculty alike. One of a kind!!God speed        Sally Wiebe(pbg)

To the Slattery family from ours, we are truly sorry for your loss of a great man, husband, father, teacher, mentor and the many other roles he filled. The magnitude of Mr. Slattery's passing has sunk in ... It is yet to be revealed how profoundly this loss will affect my son and his fellow senior classmates only 3 months before their graduation.  One thing is very certain.  These young people were extremely fortunate to have had such a dedicated, talented and accomplished tutor in all things "CS". Your loss is everyone's. A gigantic void has been created and it will be near impossible to fill the shoes of "Big Slattery". Go with God, Mr. S.!

You saw three of my children through your program and I will always remember sitting in on your CS Club meetings and especially your CS dinner. You inspired the kids and they, for all of their goofiness, respected you very highly. The CS program will never be the same. Thank you for all of your hard work in getting the kids through. Your family and you are in our hearts.

Slattery Family: I have no words to express the sense of loss I feel so I can't even imagine what you are feeling. John was a good friend of mine and I will miss him forever. Rudy Gawron, Royal Palm Beach High

I want to say that my son was a student of Mr. Slattery, and all those "GEEKS" turned out to be amazing adults.  My son is and I know many of his friends.  A great educator is a miracle to find and a terrible loss for our children..All my blessings and good wishes for his family and friends and students, that are mourning this loss

John has touched our family in so many ways.  First as a mentor to Matt and lastly as a "family" member.  The times in between are filled with happy memories and good times.  So we raise our JD glasses to John for bringing our families together.

With our deepest sympathies,

Dear Slattery Family, your Husband,Father,Brother was an exceptional man. He was a gentleman and a scholar. He had such passion for his students and what he taught them. He has touched many hearts and minds of the young people who have passed through the halls of Suncoast High School. It was our pleasure to have met him through our son Brent Pepper, Class of 2010. He will be greatly missed by his former students, his present students and future students who had hoped to learn from him.May you find comfort in your memories of him. Love the Pepper Family, Ron, Linda, Brent, Paige and Amber

Slattery is one of my favorite and most influential teachers. It's been nearly 9 years since I graduated from Suncoast and I still use the CS skills that I learned from Slattery's classes. He was a one-of-a-kind educator and will be greatly missed.

I remember the day we met at Palm Beach Junior College.  You would eventually become one of my good friends and a fellow member of Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity.  We would always laugh -- especially with our friend Julie "Jules" Teneralli.  I can't believe I won't see you at the Technology Conference this year.  I saw your kids grow up to become wonderful adults.  I'm heartbroken, my friend.  I'll miss you.

Rest in Peace!
J. Michael Woods, M.Ed.
Lake Clarke Shores, FL

John's zest for life and his dedication to the teaching profession left a profound influence over all those who were fortunate to have him as a teacher, a friend, and a colleague.   Patricia and I extend our deepest sympathy to the Slattery family.

You called me “Professor.”  You took my computer class at PBJC those many years ago and asked every question there was to ask.  Afterward, you went on to be a driving force in academic computing and an outstanding teacher and (later) colleague in PBC Schools.  When my career changed, I used to see you at workshops and the instructional computing conference and teased you by saying, “I taught you everything you know.”

I know that you touched many lives during your teaching tenure and many of your students have called you a “mentor.”  I'm proud to have known you and those whose lives you touched will not remember that you died but remember that you lived.  

YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE.

Godspeed to you John.

A dear friend and colleague.  You  will be missed John Slattery.  My prayers are with your family.

Ginger, we were sadden to hear of John's passing. Being so far away, we always thought of your family. He truly meant so much to many students. We are sad we cannot be there to comfort you during this time of need. You and the kids are in our prayers and thoughts. May John rest in Peace and God be with him and your family. We love you and miss you and always here for you. With love, Aunt Elva Mendoza and cousins from Ohio.

John was a huge influence on Matthew's academic career.(class of 2007).He also was one of "Cindy's Heroes". He had the computer club for a team each year fo "The MS Walk of The Palm Beaches". He will be sorely missed. I am honored and grateful to have known him.He was a legend at Suncoast. May he rest in peace.

I only met Mr Slattery once, but he made a real impression. It was the week before his daughter's wedding. I said that I hoped it wouldn't rain and he bombastically replied that they had a tent and libations, so rain be damned, they had all they needed for a good time. My prayers go out to his family and his students.

What a tremendous loss! It was such an honor to work with John as a computer science teaching colleague during my years of teaching at Palm Beach Gardens HS. John's energy, enthusiasm and fun loving spirit were contagious. He had a wonderful passion for teaching, computer programming, and helping his students succeed. John was so well respected and made a positive impact to the computer science students and teachers throughout Palm Beach County with the programming competitions that he hosted, and the curriculum that he wrote and shared with others. I will miss him greatly.

Every time I saw you John, it brought back memories of the great times we had together teaching evenings at Palm Beach Community College. You always had a smile on your face and an infectious laugh. That is how all of us will remember you. Dedicated and jovial.

John has always been a pure educator with his students at his heart. He has a great family and had great pride in everything he touched.  He was always there for everyone.  He will be missed and remembered.

John, just last week you were saying how much more you have appreciated life and good health since your heart attack as we were discussing my own health problems. You really put things in perspective for me. I will never forget how you helped me when Pat died - teaching her classes, teaching me to teach her classes, and being available for her students to email and call you anytime when I was unable to help (which was all the time!). I hope that in some small way I can return the favor in your honor for your students. You will be sorely missed by all! Your gruff sense of humor, your burly laugh, your Santa Claus appearance, your dedication to computer science and business classes - not just in your own class but at the district, state and national level as well, all the ways that you have poured yourself into your students and so many district technology projects, and most of all your kind heart and caring nature will always remain part of the fabric of our lives. Go with God, good friend!

Fran Thew (JIL)

I am so grateful to have known Mr Slattery, a man who loved his students like family, and cared about our well being as much as our learning. He was one of my guiding influences into the career I enjoy today, and a man that brings fond memories of my high school days. All the best in this time of sadness. c/o 1997.

Mr. Slattery was a great teacher that put a lot of students on the right track in computer science. He was always working to try and put the students ahead and I've never forgotten all of the classes I took with him.

Thank Mr. Slattery for everything.

Mr. Slattery taught both of my sons, one of whom is a professional in the computer science field.  I was privileged to work with him on a couple of parent projects.  Mr. Slattery was completely dedicated to his students and taught them skills and values beyond the classroom as well as the technical and intellectual aspects of computer science.  He "was" computer science at Suncoast High School which was an innovative program when it began and which has continued to be one of the premier high school programs in the country.  The time and effort he spent was an amazing gift to his students and the community.  Condolences to his family, particularly his wife whom I know made a great contribution to his dedicated professional efforts.

i will never forget you Mr. Slattery. Best teacher i ever had in high school. i learned a lot and you pushed me to do more each time. you were always fun to be around.  CS-2009

Mr. Slattery was a wonderful teacher, and figures prominently in my warmest memories of Suncoast. He had a way with students that made them want to learn, and he reached out especially to those students who felt like they had no other friends. He was a great man, and he will be sorely missed.

Mr. Slattery was a great teacher and mentor to my son.  He was the type of teacher that got students excited about learning, a quality very hard to find these days.  My heart goes out to his family and the CS students who will miss him dearly.

There were some glimmerings of possibility that high school had the potential to be fun, rumors of an elite cabal known mysteriously as "Mr. Slattery's class." From an adjoining classroom, we could hear frequent laughter and other exciting noises. We peeked in when we could - and we witnessed a jolly and fierce man exhorting his pupils to REMEMBER and learn and work and, most fantastically of all, enjoy themselves. I treasured the three years I had with him.
Now, 15 years later, visiting West Palm, I wanted to tell him that I was finally, finally using the things he taught me. And how grateful I was. But I think he knew that last bit already. 
Mr. Slattery... you will be deeply, deeply missed.  (IB/CS '98)

More than a decade removed from his class, I still often think of Mr. Slattery and his passion for his students. He was an incredible teacher. He will be missed!!
Andrew (class of 2003)

I find it appropriate that the Suncoast High School Dedication Video show John working with his students as that is the way we will probably remember him.  He was the driving force in teaching computer science in Palm Beach County.  I am honored to have known him.  My prayers to the family and his students.

He is a learned colleague for whom I developed great respect.  His impact in the district has been remarkable.  He will be greatly missed in the classroom and in the extra activities to which he made immeasurable contribution.  John will be remembered.

John was a dear friend and colleague, who had a passion for students, friends, family, and excellence. His smile and laugh will always be remembered. My thoughts, prayers, and condolences for his family. John thank you for allowing me to spend time in your beautiful life.

Mr. Slattey was truly one of the best teachers I ever had, and played a large part in steering my career in the direction it is now.  The community as a whole has lost a good man far too soon with his passing.

our thoughts and prayers to the Slattery family

John Slattery was a "tell it like it is kind of guy" who always put his students first, and brought out the best in them.  He is irreplaceable.

He is a colleague who will truly never be replaced.  I will miss his friendship as a person and as a co-worker.

One of the best teachers and mentors I have ever had.  You will be greatly missed Mr. Slattery. I will forever remember the impact you had. 

CS-2008

John Slattery has impacted my family as no other teacher! He will be greatly missed by all of the Zigelskys. Andrea, Leah (2009), Aaron (2012), and Rachel (2016). Your family is in our thoughts and prayers,

A great teacher, mentor and friend to all of his students.  He truly cared, will be missed greatly, and remembered fondly. -CS2008

You were more than just a teacher, I can only hope that you are in a better place. You were the entire reason why I wanted to go to Suncoast. I can still remember the day we talked during one of your school showcase... my thoughts will be with you.

In my short time here at Suncoast the concern, care, and dedication John showed was an inspiration to me.  My heartfelt condonlences to Lee and his family.
Jay Lowe

You were probably the best and most inspiring teacher that I have ever had and You will be missed greatly by everyone that you have taught. I will always remember your class and will never forget all of the lesson that I have learned from you.
~CS2012

Slattery was such an amazing teacher and was a mentor to me and many other students. He helped many of us grow into successful students. I've breezed through UCF's CS program thanks to his teaching and have a career starting in May. I owe it all to him. The world has lost a great man, I feel for all of the fellow CSers and Chargers. CS2008

My prayers are with the Slattery Family. He will always will be remember as a true educator at Suncoast Community High School.

You will always be remembered for the great mentor, teacher, and friend that you were.
    CS2005

Our family cannot even begin to describe the enormous impact John Slattery had on our lives...He was there for my son during some of the lowest points in his life and never gave up on him and refused to let him give up on himself.  He was never afraid to fight the administration to get what he needed for the benefit of his students and the CS program.  As a teacher he went above and beyond for not only my son, but all of his students....Suncoast High will never be the same....Our deepest condolences to the entire family...Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

RIP Mr. Slattery. You were and always will be a true mentor and friend to all of your students. -CS2009

I will forever miss you, Mr. Slattery. You helped me come out of my shell more than you will ever know. The rest of my Ivy League education will be dedicated to you and your family for everything that you've done for me. I don't know how the CS program and Suncoast, in general, will survive without you.

Love and condolences to the Slattery family and to those that were impacted in their lifetime by his teaching or simply his presence. the CS program will never be the same, and neither will Suncoast. Go Chargers.

I will miss my brother-in-law.  We would always laugh together, like we had a private joke.  R.I.P. John.

My deepest condolences to Lee and the Slattery family. Suncoast will never be the same.

My heart is broken...What an amazing man!!  He will go down in Suncoast High School history and one of the mmost amazing teachers ever.  He was a mentor to so many.  Condolences to all his family, friends,colleagues, and students.  We were so blessed to have had him in our lives!!  RIP John!  love Suzanne Slate (Benjamin Slate - CS '11, Harrison Slate- CS '14)

"Slats"  You will be missed my friend.  I will see you again someday!

John was a kind hearted colleague who never stopped fighting to bring out the best in his students, colleagues, or profession at large.  He was a giant in his field and will be sorely missed.

OBITUARY

John Thomas Slattery

December 4, 1956 – February 15, 2012

Dorsey - E. Earl Smith Funeral Home and Lake Worth Memory Gardens

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services