John Hawley Announcement

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John Farr Hawley Jr., respected teacher and beloved husband, father and friend, at 75 years of age, on Nov. 6, 2023.

Mr. Hawley joined the Harker faculty during the upper school’s inaugural year in 1998, pioneering the school’s Latin program, including a highly active Junior Classical League club that engaged students in their love and appreciation for the classics. He retired from his teaching career at Harker in 2015, having made a profound impact on many people within the Harker community and beyond.

“We have a lot for which to be grateful to John,” said Jennifer Gargano, assistant head of school for academic affairs, noting that in addition to his Latin department legacy, he was the NJCL Certamen Chair from 2007-15 and coordinator of the 2009 California State JCL Convention at Harker. Students and colleagues alike remember his good humor, caring and compassionate nature, and habit of going above and beyond to help others. “Countless students would pass through his doors, enchanted by his larger-than-life personality and passionate love of language,” said Brian Larsen, K-12 production manager. Mr. Hawley was known to participate in school spirit days and pep rallies with great enthusiasm, where one of his proudest achievements was winning the “chubby bunny” marshmallow contest.

John was a dedicated colleague, inspiring mentor and dear friend, said Lisa Masoni, Harker Latin teacher who worked alongside Mr. Hawley for many years. “He gave so much of his time to his students and to the wider Latin community. When I started at Harker, John said to call if I needed anything. On day two of new teacher training, I got a flat tire on my bike and couldn’t make the ride from the train station to school. So, I called John. He took me to school, and got my tire fixed while I worked. He was always thinking of others, and we will all miss him very much.”

Much of Mr. Hawley’s life was lived in service of others. As a teacher of 34 years, the impact of his life’s work – educating and uplifting others – has been made evident by the decades of gratitude shared by countless students, colleagues, and members of his school and church communities, spanning from the greater Boston area, to Nebraska, to the San Francisco Bay Area. His passion for language and the arts inspired and delighted not only his students, but also those who performed alongside him at school productions and open mic nights, and even those who simply felt comforted by his sincere and supportive nature and contagious good humor. He had a heart as big as his boisterous laugh.

In his early career, Mr. Hawley worked for the Christian Science Monitor photo library. While living in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, he was a community activist supporting racial equality and was active in local politics. While teaching at North Platte High School in Nebraska, he was honored at the White House as a teacher of distinction for a Latin student who was a Presidential Scholar. He was also honored by the National Junior Classical League for attending their annual national convention for 20 years. Mr. Hawley’s outside interests included performing in local theater, improv comedy and choral ensembles, and he remained active in his Christian Science church community.

Mr. Hawley is survived by his wife, Claire Branin Hawley, daughters Elnora Hawley ’02 and Emma Hawley Ivaturi ’04, two grandchildren, and sister Katharine Schneider. Mr. Hawley last resided with his wife at their home in East Windsor, N.J., where they relocated in 2020 after living for 22 years in Santa Clara. In lieu of a public memorial service, the family is planting a holly tree in their back yard in his memory.

If you would like to reach out to the family with any messages of remembrance, please email Elnora Hawley at elnora.hawley@gmail.com. His family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to one of the following organizations that support causes near to his heart:

ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

America’s Grow-a-Row (Online tribute donation form here)