William T. Moore, 91, schoolteacher and principal
After graduating from Central High School in Philadelphia, William T. Moore enlisted in the Navy. For two years, he studied at a naval training center on the Navy Pier in Chicago, son Thomas said, while learning to become a carrier-based aircraft machinist.
After graduating from Central High School in Philadelphia, William T. Moore enlisted in the Navy.
For two years, he studied at a naval training center on the Navy Pier in Chicago, son Thomas said, while learning to become a carrier-based aircraft machinist.
But then he was diagnosed with rheumatic fever, which a Mayo Clinic website states "can cause permanent damage to the heart."
A Navy physician "went to him and his mother, Edith," who had gone to be with her son, "told them he was doomed," and gave him an early discharge "to go home to perish."
The diagnosis was imperfect.
On Thursday, March 31, Mr. Moore, 91, of Haddon Township, who retired in 1988 as assistant principal at Cherry Hill West High School, died at Cadbury at Cherry Hill, a continuing care facility.
Mr. Moore was a grandson of J. Hampton Moore, a U.S. representative from 1906 to 1920 and mayor of Philadelphia from 1920 to 1923 and from 1932 to 1935.
On his mother's side, he was related to Charles Thomson, secretary to the First and Second Continental Congresses, during which the Declaration of Independence was published.
Born in Philadelphia, his son said, Mr. Moore earned a bachelor's in education at the University of Delaware in 1952, a period marked by a summer car trip to California with three fellow members of his Delta Tau Delta fraternity, in the days before the interstate highways.
While teaching at an elementary school outside Newark, Del., Mr. Moore earned a master's in educational administration at the University of Delaware in 1954.
He taught in elementary schools in Hockessin from 1954 to 1958, and in Marshallton, Del., from 1958 to 1960, and was a temporary elementary school principal in Tewksbury, N.J., in 1961-62.
Mr. Moore's hope to run a school of his own came true, his son said, when he was named the first principal of the Horace Mann Elementary School in Cherry Hill in 1962.
After 23 years, he left for a year of educational management courses at what is now Rowan University, and returned as assistant principal at Cherry Hill West from 1986 to 1988.
Mr. Moore for years raced 14- and 16-foot sailboats, his son said, "on the Cooper River and on the Delaware River," as well as in races on Long Island Sound.
Edgar Hendler, a friend since their days at Central High, said Mr. Moore's best quality, "first and foremost is loyalty."
Besides his son, Mr. Moore is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sheila; daughters Sara and Victoria Moore and Julia Bergmann; a sister; and four grandchildren.
A visitation was set for 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Foster-Warne Funeral Home, 820 Haddon Ave. Collingswood N.J. 08108, followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service there..
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.fosterwarnefuneralhome.com.
610-313-8134 @WNaedele