Brother Arnold “Bud” Falcione

Arnold “Bud” Falcione
1945 – 2007

Arnold “Bud” Falcione Outstanding, Well-loved Dover High School Teacher Dies Dover: Arnold “Bud” Falcione, 62, of Cataract Avenue, well loved and respected teacher at Dover High School, died unexpectedly on Saturday June 16, 2007 at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH. His sudden death has had a great impact on his family, colleagues, and students both past and present.

Born in Boston, MA on June 14, 1945, he was the only son of the late Amelia (Kalell) and Arnold Neil Falcione.

Bud attended school in Boston and Lexington, MA. He went on to graduate from the University of New Hampshire, where he was a member of Sigma Beta Fraternity, with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master’s Degree in Social Studies. Bud taught for his entire 40 year career at Dover High School where he was admired and held in the highest esteem by his colleagues and cherished by his students. The impact he made on those whose lives he touched will leave a lasting impression. He was truly a gentle man of great devotion who dedicated his entire life to his profession, his family and his friends. He will be fondly and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

He was a lifetime blood donor, a volunteer at the Dover Soup Kitchen and he was named the first Teacher of the Year in 2001.

Bud is survived by two dear aunts, Lillian and Louise Kalell and a dear uncle, Charles Kalell, who resides in the Boston area and his cherished friend, Martha Bstandig of Dover, NH.

Friends and family may call on Tues., June 19 from 2-5pm at Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover, NH. A funeral service will be held on Wed., June 20, 2007 at 12:00 pm (Noon), with visitation being held one hour to the service from 11:00am-12:00pm (Noon) at the Douglas Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Rd., Lexington, MA. Interment will follow at the Westview Cemetery in Lexington, MA.

Family flowers only are requested; memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Arnold “Bud” Falcione Memorial Fund, c/o Dover High School, 25 Alumni Drive, Dover, NH, 03820.

Community fondly recalls Arnold ‘Bud’ Falcione, beloved Dover High teacher

By JIM HADDADIN
Democrat Staff Writer
jhaddadin@fosters.com

DOVER — The news spread quickly through generations of Dover High School alumni that one of the school’s best loved teachers, an icon who colleagues call their mentor and moral compass and who students call their friend, had died.

Arnold “Bud” Falcione, who began his career as a teacher the day the high school
opened its doors in 1967 and taught there until the day he died 40 years later, passed away at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital on Saturday while a group of his former students kept a vigil near his bedside. He was 62 years old.

For those who knew Falcione, the days of grieving have brought a flood of tears, laughter and fond memories. Mourners say that they will remember him for his limitless integrity, his wry sense of humor and his consummate devotion to students.

Many recall seeing Falcione on his daily walk to school in his trademark trench coat and hat, and students remember his attendance at nearly every sporting event, band concert, and school play. Falcione also organized countless functions, including dances, banquets, graduations, and the annual baccalaureate.

By Tuesday night, more than 320 former pupils had joined a group on the social networking website The Facebook titled, “I love Mr. Falcione,” where they posted messages honoring their favorite moments with the educator, both in and out of the classroom.

“I wish I could tell him face to face all that he did for me and my peers, and I know
that if I could accomplish half the good deeds he’s done in his life, I’ll die a happy
man,” wrote Mathew Moore-Penaskovic, who graduated in 2005.

“When my uncle died last year, he was the only person I talked to about it. He was there not to give advice or ways to get over it, but just listen, which was what I needed,” wrote Justin Lewis.

Among his fellow teachers, Falcione is renowned for the respect he earned in the classroom and his unparalleled ability to engage his students.

English teacher Ryan Hale remembers seeing Falcione’s course planner filled out in
immaculate, cursive lettering every week and says no less than 10 history teachers were inspired to take up the profession after watching Falcione work.

Former students Sam Lightner and Chad Novak remembered being called on during “map time” geography quizzes and receiving Falcione’s “death stare,” a chilling gaze that was at once arresting and light-hearted.

“He had such a gruff exterior, but you would know he was joking because he would give you this little wink that was barely perceptible, but you knew it was for you,” said Novak.

For others, however, it is the personal experiences that they shared with Falcione that they will hold most dear.

“He’s allowed all of us a private thought or special moment with him,” said
fellow history teacher John Carver. “He taught me that you could be a man and be
sensitive and compassionate at the same time.”

Senior Jenna Colarusso says that during her graduation a week ago, she gained the greatest insight into Falcione’s character.

While she was waiting to receive her diploma, she told her former history teacher that she was scared about leaving the school to study nursing in the fall.

“I hope that you’re my nurse some day when I’m old and I need help,” he said to
her. As Falcione stooped down to embrace Colarusso, she felt warm teardrops begin to fall on her gown.

“I can’t believe you made me cry,” he laughed.

An intensely private person, Falcione shared little about his life with his students and colleagues. He was born in south Boston in 1945 and then moved to Lexington, Mass., with his family several years later.

In high school he was head of the “Promenaders,” a social group that raised
money to sponsor school dances every month.

According to cousin Lorraine Salto, Falcione was grand marshal of Lexington’s Patriot’s Day Parade in 1963 and rode through town in a convertible with “Lady Lexington,” who he later escorted to his senior prom.

Falcione studied at UNH, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social studies and then began teaching in Dover at the age of 22.

Falcione also spoke little of his teaching accomplishments with his family in Lexington when he would return for holiday gatherings.

Until this week, cousin Joy Barres had never heard of the numerous awards that Falcione received from the National Honor Society, nor had he told her about being honored with the city’s first “Teacher of the Year” award in 2001.

Falcione shared the award that year with another longtime Dover educator, Martha Bstandig, a cherished friend and longtime companion.

“She complemented him so beautifully … I’m glad that he had her in his life, she
was a sweetheart,” said Salto.

To many, Falcione’s legacy at the school will be the impact he has had on a generation of teachers who have measured themselves against his standard.

Music teacher Michele Boulanger said that in Falcione’s absence, teachers at DHS will have to ask themselves, “What would Bud do?” and suggested the phrase be plastered on the main entrance of the school.

“I hope that we become encouraged by the fact that in 40 years of teaching, he’s left such a positive legacy in his students and no one that met him was untouched by him. He made us all better,” said teacher Sue Overbee.