The Johnsburg High School community is in mourning after the deaths of two staff members, one of whom had recently left the district, were announced just days apart.
Johnsburg School District 12 Superintendent Dan Johnson and Principal Kevin Shelton sent a letter to parents on Wednesday announcing the death of former staff member, Tom Weaver.
Weaver, 52, was the Transition Coordinator and the girl’s track and field coach at Johnsburg High School. He had recently left the school.
The school called Weaver’s death sudden and said the loss has “deeply impacted our school community, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, students, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate through this profound loss,” the letter said.
The superintendent and principal said they understand that the news may be distressing for students, staff and families. “In light of this, we want to assure you that we are taking proactive steps to provide support and assistance to all those affected by this loss.”
Additional social workers were made available to students and staff for counseling and support.
“We encourage you to have an open dialogue with your child about their feelings and emotions surrounding this loss. Reassure them that it’s normal to feel sadness, confusion, or anger, and remind them that there are people here to help them navigate through these emotions,” the school said in the letter.
An obituary for Weaver, who died Tuesday, said he had a “servant’s heart” and spent his entire career helping others.
“Throughout his career, he advocated for children and adults with disabilities, working to help them set and reach specific goals that would contribute to an improved quality of life,” the obituary said.
On Friday, Johnson and Shelton sent another joint letter to parents announcing the sudden and unexpected death of Johnsburg High School Special Education Teacher Joe Grisamore.
“For more than twenty years, his steadfast commitment, empathy, mentorship, and skill have influenced numerous lives across the district, molding destinies and nurturing development amongst our students,” the school officials said.
“His enduring legacy of compassion, empathy, and dedication to academic excellence will be forever cherished and deeply missed. As this information began circulating across social media, we felt it was necessary to inform the students,” the letter said.
All students at Johnsburg High School were informed of the death during their third-period class.
“We understand that this news may be distressing for our students, staff, and families with two unfortunate events occurring this week. In light of this, we want to assure you that we are taking proactive steps to provide support and assistance to all those affected by this loss,” the letter said.
Johnson and Shelton said they will honor Grisamore’s memory by continuing to support students, his family, friends and colleagues as they cope with this “profound loss.”
An obituary was not published yet for Grisamore as of Monday.