Frederick J. Noone, 89, Former Haverhill Principal, Teacher

Frederick_NooneFrederick J. Noone, 89, of Haverhill and Seabrook, N.H., passed away Feb. 10, in Haverhill. He was the husband of the late Mary Elaine (Murphy) Noone, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage until she predeceased him in December, 2008.

Noone was born in the front room of the family home in Merrimac, March 8, 1927, son of the late P. Leo and Elaine (Greeley) Noone. He joined two sisters and one brother, while the family would later be completed by two additional brothers. The town of Merrimac and its residents were dear to his heart, and he had many fond memories of his childhood there.

He attended Merrimac schools, graduating from Merrimac High School, where he was an outstanding shortstop on the baseball team, and was known for his Bob Cousy-like moves on the basketball court. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. Following his service, he enrolled at Boston College, graduating in 1951 with a bachelor’s Degree, becoming a loyal alumnus and enthusiastic fan of his alma mater. He would go on to earn his master’s from Salem State College.

Noone’s first teaching assignment was in Keezar Falls, Maine, after which he accepted a position at the Moody School in Haverhill, then moved on to the Fox School. While at Fox, he could often be seen leading his students along Main Street on their way to the YMCA, where he had arranged swimming lessons for them, as he believed “every kid should learn to swim.” During these early years of his career, he also worked on weekends and school breaks as a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office in his hometown of Merrimac. His next teaching post in Haverhill was at the Caleb Dustin Hunking school in Bradford, where he eventually became assistant principal. His humble manner, easy smile and positive attitude endeared him to students and staff alike. He led by example, and was a much-loved role model for many students. His last assignment at the Haverhill Public Schools was as principal of the Riverside district, which was comprised of Dr. Paul Nettle, Crowell and Rocks Village Schools. Although his priority was the academic progress of the students in his charge, he would often frequent the playground at recess and the gymnasium just to watch the children having fun. He was a member of the NEA, MTA, and a past president of the Haverhill Education Association.

After retiring in 1991, he and Elaine moved from Bradford to their home at Seabrook Beach. They wintered at Redington Beach, Fla., staying active and enjoying the warm weather and the people they met. Noone became “chief financial officer” of his son’s mini-golf course in North Hampton, N.H., and was a familiar figure at the Seabrook library, as he was a voracious reader. He was known to place a wager or two at Rockingham Park or Seabrook Greyhound Track, and thoroughly enjoyed annual trips to Saratoga with Elaine and their great friends from the beach. He was a 40-plus year member of the Haverhill Kiwanis Club, participating in its charitable endeavors and Tuesday night poker group well into his eighties. Fred could play a decent round of golf and considered himself an expert in the game of 45s. He loved long walks on the beach and watching New England sports teams, especially the BC Eagles.

His faith was an integral part of his life. He attended Sacred Hearts Church in Bradford, Star of the Sea Church in Salisbury, and St. Elizabeth’s Church in Seabrook. While at Sacred Hearts, he belonged to the Holy Name Society and served on the Parish Council. He also taught religious education classes for many years at the former St. Joseph’s Church in Haverhill.

Noone leaves a daughter, Cynthia M. Rubera and her husband Paul of Haverhill; son, James P. and his wife Marjorie (Heffernan) Noone of Jupiter, Fla.; grandson James P. and his wife Jennifer (Whalen) Rubera of Haverhill; granddaughter Jessica N. Noone of Santa Monica, Calif.; great-grandsons Jack and Jesse Rubera of Haverhill; two brothers, Francis and Edwin Noone, both of Merrimac; sister-in-law E. Sandra Noone of Merrimac; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his wife Elaine, he was predeceased by two sisters, Leona Stiles of Merrimac and Elaine Moore of California, and one brother, Richard Noone of Merrimac.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the calling hours on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m., at H.L. Farmer and Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 South Main St. (route 125). His funeral is Friday, Feb. 17th, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11 in the Church of the Nativity, 4 Green St. Merrimac. Burial with military honors will be at Locust Grove Cemetery, Merrimac. Contributions in his memory, may be made to the Frederick J. Noone Scholarship / Crowell PTO, Haverhill Public Schools, 4 Summer St. Haverhill, MA 01830.