Dennis J. Armento, schoolteacher
William Clarke, who retired in 2009 as principal at Pennsauken High School, says he knew Dennis J. Armento as "a compassionate person and a very caring teacher."
William Clarke, who retired in 2009 as principal at Pennsauken High School, says he knew Dennis J. Armento as "a compassionate person and a very caring teacher."
Even when he seemed to contradict himself.
Mr. Armento was running what Clarke said was an alternative program for students "who were not having success in their regular program."
And one day, before the students assembled for their only class, from 2 to 6 p.m., "Dennis came to me and said, 'Bill, do you want to go to bat to help a kid out, to be a little more lenient?' "
Clarke said OK, but "I said, 'Remember it's the same kid you complained about two months ago.' "
And, Clarke said, "The kid turned himself around. And I'm glad I followed his advice."
On Thursday, May 26, Mr. Armento, 66, of Cherry Hill, a Pennsauken High School teacher since 1983, died of melanoma at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Armento graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Camden in 1967, and earned a bachelor's in education at what is now New Jersey City University in Jersey City in 1974 and a master's in education at Rowan University in the late 1970s.
While at Rowan, Mr. Armento from 1974 to 1979 taught in Atco for the Archway Program, the website for which states that its several campuses teach those "with physical, emotional, and neurological disabilities."
Mr. Armento's brother Thomas said in an interview that from 1979 to 1983 Mr. Armento taught children with similar concerns in the Cherry Hill School District.
And, Thomas said, at Pennsauken High School Mr. Armento not only taught history and math but also was the coordinator for the school's work-study program.
His students would attend classes in the mornings, Thomas said, and then go to part-time jobs in the afternoon.
"He went to several businesses," he said, "and formed an alliance with several businesses, to help kids get jobs."
And at home, his brother said, Mr. Armento "had several kids in a foster program. And he decided to adopt two," a young man in 1992 and his sister in 2000.
Besides his brother Thomas, Mr. Armento is survived by his brother Michael; son David; daughter Maria Ross; and David's and Maria's four children.
A visitation was set from 6 p.m., Thursday, June 2, at the Falco, Caruso & Leonard Funeral Home, 6600 N. Browning Rd. in Pennsauken, with a 10 a.m. Mass set for Friday, June 3, at St. Peter Church, 43 W. Maple Ave., Merchantville, with private interment.
Donations may be sent to the Abramson Cancer Center, Suite 750, 3535 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104.
Condolences may be offered to the family at carusocare.com.
610-313-8134@WNaedele