On the morning of Sept. 29, many on the shoreline heartbroken to hear of the passing of Jack Reynolds, a longtime teacher at Lewin G. Joel Jr. Elementary School who was beloved by students and parents alike.

Reynolds had taught in Clinton since 1997 and this year was teaching Kindergarten. A Westbrook resident, Reynolds was found dead at Pattaconk Recreation Area in Chester on Sept. 28. He was 57 years old.

Reynolds was born in Evanston Illinois and raised in Nevada, Iowa, Kittery, Maine , and Ledyard. An obituary for Reynolds states “Jack’s passion was public education and the community of Clinton. He was kind and generous to friend and stranger alike, and a relentless supporter of local charities and fundraisers.”

Most who reached out to the Harbor News to share their memories of Reynolds remembered his towering 6’8” height; some remarked on his trademark bow tie that he wore every day. All of them remembered his quick smiles, caring actions, and the kind words of a good man who left a big impression on decades of Clinton students and coworkers alike and who is gone much too soon.

Whether it was though their kids, through being coworkers, or just on reputation, everyone who spoke to the Harbor News had nice words to say about Reynolds.

Katy Sypher–Piper has two kids in the Clinton school system and she said she knew right away she wanted her kids to have Mr. Reynolds.

“We first met Mr. Reynolds as the goofy, tall guy who managed Ava at parent pick-up area. He ran it like a drill sergeant with a sense of humor, and I thought to myself, ‘Man, I hope Andy gets him as a teacher,’” Sypher-Piper wrote to the Harbor News.

As COVID-19 hit and kids were forced to adapt to a new and strange way of going about school, Sypher-Piper said Reynolds was always there and willing to help as her child struggled with online learning and burnout.

“We had the unique opportunity to get to know Mr. Reynolds as an educator, a friend and a human. I sometimes wondered, ‘Who helps the helpers?’ and hoped that Mr. R was as wonderfully supported as he took care of everyone else. He shared some of his own experiences’ challenges wisdom gained. He met us where we were at and sometimes that was on the floor, under the desk with Andrew. Now you are a guardian angel for the thousands of children and families whose lives you touched,” Sypher-Piper wrote.

Abby Roccapriore worked with Reynolds at Joel School and said it’s still hard to process that Reynolds is gone. Roccapriore said that it wasn’t just Reynolds’ own students that liked him.

“Jack is the heart and soul of Joel. He can light up a room and silence an auditorium. He’s a force: thoughtful, caring, hilarious, weird, playful, and giving. Children adored him, even if they didn’t have him as a teacher,” said Roccapriore.

“When I started at Joel, I felt lucky to have already had a good parent and teacher relationship with him. From day one, he made me feel welcome and included. I’m not sure how we will go on without his large presence, both physically—he’s so tall!—and emotionally. You could always rely on him,” said Roccapriore.

Town Council Chair Chris Aniskovich released a statement on the town’s Facebook page that said “The town would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, co-workers, [and] current and former students on the passing of Jack Reynolds. Not only was Jack a great educator, but for those lucky enough to know him, knew him to be a better person. He will be sorely missed by a community that he did so much for. Please keep his loved ones in your prayers.”

The obituary for Reynolds said “Jack is survived by his beloved wife Denyse (Lennerton) Reynolds, who was the light of his life. They played golf, enjoyed cruises, traveled to exotic islands, and disappeared on spontaneous road trips with Van Morrison as their companion. Friends and family envied the love and respect Jack and Denyse shared and enjoyed their light-hearted banter and teasing.”

Reynolds is also survived by daughters Tatjana Reynolds and Meredith Reynolds; nephew Colton Reynolds, to whom he was guardian; stepsons Brian Schenck, Samuel Schenck, and Matthew Schenck; stepdaughter Allyson Schenck; and grandsons Alexander Pinney and Emmett Schenck.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, Oct. 4 from 4 to 8 pm at Swan Funeral Home at 80 East Main Street, Clinton. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church at 54 Grove Street, Clinton. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Jack’s memory may be made to Clinton Education Foundation.