John "Jack" J Boitano

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.

Obituary

Born in Union City, New Jersey to parents John J. Boitano and Madeline (Kovalewski) Boitano, Dr. Jack Boitano lived a very robust and active 93 years.

Growing up on Staten Island, NY, Jack’s youth was marked by scholastic achievement, athletic accomplishments in track and field and basketball, and participation in the Boy Scouts, highlighted by his attainment of Eagle Scout in 1949. Each of these areas – academics, athletics, and scouting – were to become pillars for the next 75+ years of his adult life.

He graduated from St. Peter’s High School on Staten Island, followed by Manhattan College in New York, where he received a B.A. degree in June, 1954. From here, he went on to Fordham University, also in New York City, earning both Master’s (1957) and Ph.D. (1964) degrees in Psychology.

It was during his graduate school years that he met co-worker Joan Coroso at The Institute of Living, a hospital in Hartford, CT. They were married on October 29, 1960 in Bristol, CT and had three children; Mary Kay, Laura, and Stephen.

A passion for learning, psychology, and teaching led naturally into a long and distinguished career as a college professor, first at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY; and most notably at Fairfield University (Connecticut) from 1967 until his retirement from the university in 2001. While at Fairfield, he rose from Associate Professor, to Professor, to Psychology Department Chairman, to Director of Neuroscience. His time there included many fellowships and grants; particularly in brain research; and academic advancements in Limbic System Research, and curriculum development. Sabbaticals provided additional opportunities, highlighted by a year-long stay at the University of Plymouth (England) in 1995-96. After his retirement, Jack continued to have a passion for learning; he co-authored a book on Asian infectious diseases and created many vignettes on Alzheimer’s disease.

Academics were just one part of his life story. Jack’s early scouting years led to a long involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, first as a scoutmaster with son Stephen’s troop in the mid-1970s, and continuing with leadership and committee chairmanships for more than 30 years. He led trips to National and World Boy Scout Jamborees, including ones to Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia in 1993 and Sattahip, Thailand in 2003. Jack was recognized with the rare Distinguished Eagle Scout award in 2007. His involvement and scouting mentorship continued past his 90th birthday. It became a full-circle moment in 2017 when he awarded an Eagle Scout designation to his grandson, Jack Brady, in Madison, CT.

As an athlete, Jack was the founder and president of the Stratford (CT) Spartans Track Club in 1967 and was one of 127 runners to compete in the first New York City Marathon on September 13, 1970, placing 21st. He also served as Assistant Manager of the Amateur Athletic Union National Track & Field Team on a two-week tour to the People’s Republic of China in May, 1975 where he demonstrated the new sport of racewalking, something he embraced enthusiastically as he reached middle age. Jack chaired Connecticut’s Racewalking Committee for four years, served as National AAU Racewalking Chairman for three, all while competing in races throughout the Northeast and Midwest well into his 60s. He was one of three athletes selected by the state of Connecticut to be featured in a campaign for its Senior Olympics held in June, 1990 at the University of Bridgeport. 

Camping was another passion of Jack’s, beginning with childhood trips with his family from age 2 – 16 to his beloved aunt’s camp (Ann Kovalewski, “Miss Tommy”) on Lake Owassa in northwest New Jersey. Like his other pursuits, this continued throughout his life and eventually to very memorable camping trips with his five young grandchildren, where he shared stories, songs, and a love of the outdoors. He became a lifelong advocate for each grandchild – encouraging and following their own individual pursuits in track, scouting, academics, arts, and life. The relationships were mutual and “Papa” became a true friend, booster, and confidant.

Although his journey was filled with many awards, degrees, academic papers, and organizations, perhaps the best measure of his life is found in the people he met along the way – ranging from siblings, children, and grandchildren to mentees, students, and associates. Whether a university professor, student, racewalker, scout leader, member of the Stratford Men’s Club, or Baldwin Senior Center Chess Club (which he founded); Jack was there with you – embracing life, learning and the wonder of knowledge. His zest will be missed by all who were touched by it.

Jack is survived by his children, Mary Kay Boitano-Nelson (Steve Nelson) of Sugar Land, TX, Laura Brady of Madison, CT, and Stephen Boitano of Bangkok, Thailand; grandchildren, Haley Nelson (Los Angeles, CA), Sammi Nelson (Austin, TX), Amelia Nelson (Austin, TX), Lauren Brady (New York, NY), and Jack Brady (New Haven, CT); sister Anne Lynes (Moorehead City, NC); and nieces/nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; brother Eugene Boitano; and niece Cecilia Lynes Gulya.  

A funeral mass will be held on October 23, 2026, 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Grace Catholic church in Stratford, CT. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island, NY at a later date. 

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