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John William Walsh, a teacher and a scholar, died Feb. 11, 2012, in Naples, Fla. He was 99 and divided his time between Cape Cod and Marco Island, Fla., since the 1970s. John was born in Quincy, June 5, 1912, to John W. Walsh and Susan McKenna. He spent his childhood years in Quincy before going on to Harvard University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1934. After receiving a master's degree from Harvard in romance languages, and pursuing a Doctorate at Harvard, he realized his passion for teaching. A lifelong educator and public school administrator, he began his teaching career in 1937. From 1941 to 1972, he taught foreign languages and was active in school administration at North Quincy High School, where he served as principal for 15 years until retiring in 1972. He was the author of two Spanish language textbooks, served as a consultant to Educational Testing Services (ETS), and chaired many Secondary School evaluations. John never stopped teaching and derived his greatest pleasure from helping others and supporting current and former students and colleagues accomplish their goals. He was a founding member of the Harvard Club of Naples, Fla., was a lifelong stamp collector, avid gardener and voracious reader. In 2009, on the occasion of his 75th reunion, he was recognized at the Harvard Commencement as the oldest living graduate in attendance. John is survived by his wife of 40 years, Shirley; his two sons, David and his wife Helen of Hanover and John and his wife Sara of Greens Farms, Conn.; two stepchildren, Danelle Paulson of Topsfield and Richard Paulson and his wife Rose of Braintree; five grandchildren, David Walsh of Maynard, Mary Raab of Hanover and Constance, Elizabeth and Alexandra Walsh of Greens Farms, Conn.; three great-grandchildren, David, Meghan and Timothy of Hanover; one step-grandson, Rick of Braintree.