The death of Jonathan Pope, a tireless advocate for public education, is sending ripples of sadness throughout Gloucester, a city he cherished.
A native son, Pope graduated in the Gloucester High Class of 1966, and later would serve 10 terms on the School Committee, including as chairperson.
He was among the school officials spearheading the rebuilding of West Parish Elementary and the consolidation of two schools at East Veterans Elementary School, a new building. He also worked with the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association and Dick Wilson spearheading the renovation of Newell Stadium at Gloucester High School.
A life member of the community, he will be missed by family, friends and the many people he worked with over the years.
“He was a person who made friends easily,” his brother Jeff Pope said. “So many people in town knew him.”
A skilled carpenter who established a cabinet-making business, Jonathan Pope was not afraid to roll up his sleeves to dive into work, whether for his business or in public service.
City Council President Tony Gross, who previously served many terms on the School Committee, said although Pope leaves behind some brick-and-mortar legacies, he will be remembered for his selflessness.
“He was the kindest person. He was never ever, not for a second, about any ounce of self promotion. It was all about service to others,” Gross said. “He was a dear true friend. I’ve known Jonathan for more than 50 years, in fact most of my life. I probably met him when I learned to strap on skates. We were both hockey players. He was one hell of an athlete.”
Pope’s passion for education in a sense shaped his future. As a young man he taught at the Wreath School in Middleton, an alternative high school where he ran a vocational shop. It is where he met his wife Susan who was teaching math.
He worked a second job as a bartender at The Rhumb Line and even ran for City Council in the 1970s, but lost to Gus Foote, who was always a popular councilor.
James Pope, 41, his son, said one of his father’s greatest strengths was the ability to stay cool, whether in a meeting or as a parent.
“He had this absolute calmness and willingness to teach and share and give of himself,” James Pope said. “As a kid, you don’t realize what time meant in terms of all he did. It’s one of those things you don’t realize until you are older when you peel back the layers and learn about the things he had done that people found noteworthy.
“He was reserved in the sense of his own accomplishments. I would learn these things not because he told me, but because other people told me these things.”
As a child, he recalls that his father was a cabinet maker with a “giant shop that made a lot of noise,” and he was always active in the family life, including serving on the East Gloucester Elementary School PTO. He even started a television production club at the elementary school using equipment from the local cable television station.
And growing up, Pope recalled how his father retained that ability remain composed, noting how his father would say to him during times of teenage discontent: “James, I can’t help you be angry about this if you want to be.”
“His approach was calmness whether at home or at a public meeting. His calmness helped him get to the point and deal with the upset kid or get through a meeting agenda,” James Pope said. “In college, you realize how much effort he put in for so many things. And not until I worked for the city did I realize what an uphill battle there is for any kind of change … and he would know to let the criticism roll off.”
Pope knows about working in local government because he served as Gloucester’s information technology director for about seven years, from the end of 2013 to 2020.
He also talked about how his father’s attitude and “sheer will” helped propel his father through a cancer diagnosis more than a decade ago.
“I think he carried some of that with him so when he was diagnosed this time with bile duct cancer, he approached it with the same positive attitude. He was thankful for those 15 years and that carried him through this last year,” James Pope said.
Three mayors spoke highly of Pope, who was known to always keep education in the forefront.
Mayor Greg Verga was elected to the School Committee in 2001 when Pope was already on it. Verga later served as vice chair under Pope as chairman.
“He was a great example for all of us new members. He set the bar for people in elected office,” Verga said. “He was always calm and always patient with members of the public who came to say what’s on their mind, and sometimes it wasn’t flattering to the committee collectively or individually, but he gave them the respect people deserved. He was an all-around great guy — another one taken too soon.”
In honor of Pope’s life and work, Verga on Sunday ordered all flags lowered to half staff in the city of Gloucester .
John Bell, a former mayor and active community member, applauded Pope’s lifelong efforts.
“Jonathan Pope was a friend and neighbor over many years, both inside and outside the School Committee. He had a lot of friends. He loved his wife Susan and his family, and he is best known for his good work for the youth of Gloucester on the School Committee for years,” Bell said.
“Most importantly, Jonathan always believed in peace, fairness and equality within Gloucester and beyond.”
Sefatia Romeo Theken, a former mayor and city councilor, said she contacted Pope even before she became an elected official to ask him questions when her children were in school, knowing he cared to take the time to listen.
“He was always helpful and an asset to the School Committee when I was mayor,” she continued. “I would even talk to him about some things even when he wasn’t on the School Committee because he was just a true asset. He will be sadly missed. He was a good soul. He was a hard worker and understood the trades, which was great cause that he always promoted.”
Pope also played a role in the establishment of the Gloucester Education Foundation, which began in 2005 during a time when local schools faced budget challenges.
“Jonathan was instrumental in the founding of the Gloucester Education Foundation with his complete support of GEF’s mission of driving innovation and providing opportunities to students and educators. His commitment to the Gloucester Public Schools is a wonderful legacy of a life well lived. Thank you, Jonathan. Thank you,” foundation board President Maggie Rosa wrote in a recent social media post.
Her husband Joe Rosa, a member of the foundation, echoed those words.
“Jonathan was a very thoughtful voice for many things,” he said. “But especially for education.”
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.