November 23, 1940 – March 7, 2020
PERTH AMBOY – Anton Massopust was a lifelong resident of Perth Amboy whose ancestors from Perth Amboy fought in the Civil War. His father’s family were businessowners. Anton’s father died when he was 3 years old. Anton was raised by his mother, Anne. Anton Massopust graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1958 with an interest in science, nature, and the fire department.
He went to college and graduated from Villanova University in 1962 with a B.S. in biology, a minor in chemistry, and a concentration in religion. He faced hardship when his mother, Anne Massopust, long time art teacher in Perth Amboy High School lost her battle with breast cancer. Alone at age 22 Anton Massopust continued his volunteer work as a Scoutmaster of Troop 10 from Perth Amboy, organizing camp activities. He had earned the honor of Eagle Scout previously and volunteered many hours with the Boy Scouts. Anton Massopust decided to become a teacher and always said, “When a carpenter builds a house and drives by it, he’ll say I built that house. A teacher helps build people. My students have become firefighters, EMT’s, biologists, teachers, politicians and many other vocations. I was a part of that, building their future. Teaching can be tough. You can’t rest, and you always must be on your toes. Every day is opening day on Broadway, and you are the star.”
Anton Massopust taught biology since the day he signed the contract with Perth Amboy High School. His love for nature especially small animals stems from his boy scout days where his scout leader, Mr. Nestle took him all over New Jersey to such places as the Great Swamp and the Pine Barrens.
He was a volunteer firefighter in the PAFD since age 21 and continued to be active in the fire department until his death. Combining two of his most favorite activities, teaching and firefighting, Anton Massopust taught firefighting in Perth Amboy along with EMT and numerous other courses.
At age 24 he married Marcella Zaleski, native of Perth Amboy and graduate of NYU and Parson’s School of Design and an Art Teacher of 44 years in the Perth Amboy School System. Later he became the father of two children, daughter, Katherine, and son Anton. Throughout his lifetime, he served as an officer on 3 historical committees including President of the Kearny Cottage Association for many years, Vice President of the Waterfront Association (an organization for the preservation of Perth Amboy’s Waterfront) and a trustee in the Proprietary House. In the late 1960’s to early 1970’s Tony Massopust served as supervisor of Archeological studies in Perth Amboy. This included excavations at the Proprietary House and the Waterfront Area. In 1974 Mr. Massopust was Chairman of the City of Perth Amboy Beautification Program.
In 1976 Anton Massopust was Chairman of the Perth Amboy Bicentennial Commission. Anton Massopust organized many events and coordinated the celebration throughout the year. He received a citation from President Gerald Ford for his work in the Bicentennial. Anton Massopust was also a trustee and the Historic Fair Chairman for the Celebrate Perth Amboy Festival. In the early 1980’s, Mr. Massopust served as YCC advisor for Cheesequake Park, in which he built boardwalks and marked the trails at Cheesequake.
Anton Massopust was Science Department Head at Perth Amboy High School for over 33 years. He taught his favorite subject, biology and was beloved by many students who often speak fondly of Biology BSCS at Perth Amboy High School. During this time, Mr. Massopust served through 3 Middle States Evaluations, 3 State Monitoring Visitations and served on a visiting team for Middle States Evaluations. Mr. Massopust designed the science curriculum at PAHS were a variety of in-service programs and assemblies. In addition to basic Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, included in the curriculum were such subjects as Astronomy, Criminology, Ecology, Marine Science, and Anatomy & Physiology. Anton Massopust attended the State Education Academy, always improving his skills as both a teacher and department chairman.
He received his M.S. in Supervision in 1976 from Monmouth College and served on 10 committees during his 33-year run as PAHS Science Department. He received the esteemed Governor’s Teacher Award for excellence in teaching in 1987.
At Perth Amboy High School, Anton Massopust was active in student life, the advisor of 8 clubs including: The Biology Club, Military Modeling Club, Tropical Fish Club, Ecology Club, N.J. History Club, Softball Club, Angling Club, and Environmental Club. The biology club featured trips to the Pine Barrens canoeing down the Wading River and a trip to the Pine Barrens experiencing nature.
Anton Massopust was also active in the athletic department. He served as Athletic Trainer for 19 years in PAHS as a State Licensed Trainer. He was Girls Softball Coach in both Hopelawn Little League and Perth Amboy High School (a combination of 11 years). That is a total of 24 years of active service in the athletic department. He was a judge in the Decathlon of Knowledge for 3 years. He also participated in the “Faculty Follies”, a teacher’s show presented annually at PAHS during the 1980’s. Anton Massopust initiated the Night School Gardening Program and ran a Nature Program for the Special Education Camp Outs. He designed an outdoor program for the G&T Students. He served as CYO advisor for Saint Mary’s Church for 14 years and served as president of the PTA for 8 years at Ukrainian Assumption School. He was a member of the Holy Name Society of Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption, and a member of the Ukrainian Assumption Church Cultural Festival Committee.
His service is undisputed in the community. Anton Massopust served as Grand Marshal of the 1994 Crop Walk. He has also served on the advisory committee of the Crompton-Chevron-Kindermorgan Community Advisory Panel and was president. He has served the city of Perth Amboy as Democratic Committeeman for Ward 3 District 2.
Of all of Anton Massopust’s accomplishments the one most dear to him was his service to the Perth Amboy Fire Department. He was a volunteer firefighter since he was 21 years old and has now served for 59 years. During 1984-1987 Anton J. Massopust served as Fire Chief in the City of Perth Amboy. He has attended State, County and National Fire Academies and has taken over 36 different courses in Fire Science. These include: Arson Detection, Hazmat Awareness, the State Police Bomb School and Emergency Response to Terrorism Incidents plus a lengthy list of other fire courses. A Level II fire instructor, Mr. Massopust volunteered his time to pass down his knowledge of fire science as Lieutenant and training officer at the Perth Amboy Fire Department. He was an officer for many years and has remained active for the entire 59 years he has been a member of the PAFD. Mr. Massopust has also served on the Perth Amboy First Aid Squad, and still volunteers as an EMT, CPR, and Bomb awareness instructor. He even had a stint teaching fire science at the Middlesex County Fire Academy.
Even after Anton Massopust retired from teaching at PAHS, he continued to teach at Middlesex County College both biology and the Natural History of New Jersey, a popular class in which students took trips learning all about New Jersey’s treasures. He taught as an Associate Professor of Biology in Caldwell College, Caldwell New Jersey from 2011 to 2016. He has also taught at Ukrainian Assumption School, Mount Saint Mary’s Academy, and St. Peter’s High School.
Anton Massopust was inducted to Perth Amboy High School’s Hall of Fame in 2006 for Community Service and Secondary Education. He received a Citizenship Award in 2006 from the New Jersey Assembly and Senate. He received a citation from Mayor Wilda Diaz for saving a life at a Ukrainian Assumption Church Dance in 2010. He was honored by the Knights of Columbus earning the Shield Award in 2014. He was a member of the Perth Amboy Hibernians.
Anton Massopust was the City Historian in Perth Amboy. He served as a member of the Perth Amboy Board of Education for the year of 2013. He returned to serve on the Perth Amboy Board of Education from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2019 to present. He served as Chair of the Curriculum Committee. He was recently honored by the Boy Scouts in 2019 with the Service Award.
Anton Massopust died on March 7, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Marcella whom he was married to for 56 years, son Anton Massopust III, daughter Katherine Massopust, her husband Paul W. Wang, and sister-in-law Joan Zaleski. He is predeceased by his mother Anne Hallahan Massopust and his father Anton Massopust, his mother-in-law Anne Zaleski, and father-in-law Vincent Zaleski. He loved Perth Amboy, the town in which he was born and grew up and served so well. Anton was a man of faith who always believed in following his principles, love of God and neighbor. He will be missed by his family, friends, and students.
