John "Paul" Veronese

John "Paul" Veronese Ed.D., 92, of Chelmsford. A dedicated educator and lifelong learner himself, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2016 at the Northwood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Lowell. He was the beloved husband of Mary Jane (Lucie) Veronese, to whom he was married for 67 years.

He was born in Salem, MA on November 13, 1923, the son of the late John P. and Mary A. (Connors) Veronese. He was educated in the Peabody Public School System and graduated from Peabody High School.

Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the submarines USS Boarfish and USS Blueback in the Pacific during WWII. Following the war, thanks to the GI Bill and a job with the USPS, he was able to enroll in and earn a BA from Merrimack College.

He chose to pursue a career in education, becoming an English teacher at Peabody High School. Paul continued his education receiving his MA from Cardinal Stritch College and his Ed.D. from Boston College. Paul served for many years in the challenging and rewarding position of Second Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Peabody.

In 1981, Paul and his wife Mary Jane joined with five courageous dear friends in their mission to establish Wellspring House in Gloucester, MA and found great fulfillment living and working there for many years.

He was deeply loved and will be dearly remembered by his wife, Mary Jane; his daughter and son-in-law Deborah and Raymond Grimard; his sister-in-law Mary Jane (Carr) Veronese; his nephew David Veronese; his niece and her husband Ann and Eric van Opstal, Jr.; two great-nephews Timothy and Andrew van Opstal; many beloved relatives and friends. Paul was predeceased by his dear siblings David and Marie Terese.