Anton Massopust 2L
PERTH AMBOY – Anton Massopust is a lifelong resident of Perth Amboy. His father died when Anton was age 3 and he was raised by his mother, Anne. Anton 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. “Teaching is not an easy job.” When asked why he continues to teach Tony replies, “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 have to be on your toes. Every day is opening day on Broadway, and you are the star.”
Anton Massopust has 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 still continues to be active in the fire department. Combining two of his most favorite activities, teaching and firefighting, Tony Massopust teaches 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 forty-four 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 three 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. Mr. Massopust organized a number of events and coordinated the celebration throughout the year. Anton Massopust 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 20 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 actually designed the science curriculum at PAHS and presented a variety of in-service programs and assemblies. In the curriculum in addition to basic Biology, Chemistry, and Physics 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 Master’s in Supervision in 1976 from Monmouth College. He served on 10 committees during his 20-year run as PAHS Science Department. He received 3 mini-grants and 1 ESEA title for Marine Science at PAHS where one student, Karen Zupko was a Westinghouse Science Award Recipient. 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 is presently a member of the Holy Name Society, 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.
Mr. Massopust has been a volunteer firefighter since he was 21 years old and has now served for 58 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 volunteers his time to pass down his knowledge of fire science as Lieutenant and training officer at the Perth Amboy Fire Department. He has been an officer for many years and has remained active for the entire 49 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 take trips learning all about New Jersey’s treasures. He is now since retired from Middlesex County College. 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 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.
Anton Massopust is presently 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. Currently, he serves as Chair of the Curriculum Committee.
