John Joseph (Jack) Prior of Port Washington, the youngest of five sons born to Abraham and Anna Prior, died on November 25.
Jack spent his high school years at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Princeton, NJ. He graduated from St. John’s University and earned his doctorate from Columbia University. Jack taught at St. John’s Prep and then was Assistant Director of Testing and Guidance at St. John’s University. He became Dean of Students at Pratt Institute at 29—the youngest Dean at the time. He went on to become Dean of Students at Queensborough Community College. He was a full professor in CUNY.
Jack is survived by his wife Joan (nee McCarthy), his children Christopher Joseph (Michelle Sheehan) and Kevin Joseph, his son-in law Thomas Singleton, his grandchildren Joseph, Nancy, Meredith, Andrew, Dylan, Conor, Cassidy, and Delaney, and his brothers Rev. James Prior, CM, Rev. Thomas Prior, CM, and Rev Robert Prior, CM. He was predeceased by his daughter Cathleen Marie Singleton and his brother Rev. Francis Prior, CM.
Jack will be missed for his keen intellect, honesty, kindness to all, and special sense of humor. Funeral arrangements were handled by Austin F. Knowles, Inc. Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Peter of Alcantara RC Church. The interment followed at Locust Valley Cemetery.
