He is also survived by his brother Joseph Sangermano of Andover, his sister Virginia Campagna of Gillette, WY, a brother-in-law Kamiel Abdoo and wife Mary of Methuen, seven grandchildren, Sara (Carney) Imparato and her husband Joseph, John Carney, Zachary and Brooke Kelleher, Steven, Sharon and Daniel Sangermano, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

John was predeceased by his sister Rose Sangermano Cahill.

John P. Sangermano, 82, of North Andover, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, surrounded by his family after an extraordinary battle with cancer.

He was born in Lawrence on September 30, 1928 to Anna and John Sangermano. He lost his father when he was only four years old and together with his mother and siblings struggled to make his way in depression-era Lawrence. The Y.M.C.A. was a source of great refuge in his younger years. He became a competitive swimmer and worked many summers as a waterfront or athletic director at camps around New England. John was a proud recipient of a full scholarship to Central Catholic High School and received his BS degree in pre-med from Merrimack College in 1952 and a Masters in Education from Boston University in 1957. He studied marine biology at Bowdoin College, biochemistry at Brandeis University, genetics at Salem State College, and ecology at Boston University.

John had a long and highly-regarded career as a high school science teacher starting in Billerica and then Everett High School. He began teaching biology at Masconomet Regional High School when it opened in 1961 and retired after teaching many levels of biology over 30 years. Education was paramount in his philosophy of life and he was a life-long teacher and learner.

He received many academic and professional awards over his career as well as serving on numerous boards and committees. He was a key member of the Masconomet Teachers Association and was an active alumnus of both Central Catholic and Merrimack, and treasured those life-long relationships.

John proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War and was awarded the National Defense Medal. Having worked as a physician's assistant during his civilian life he eagerly trained in Bainbridge, MD to become a hospital corpsman.

As well as being an avid Civil War buff he was a talented wood craftsman and do-it-yourselfer and he was not intimidated by any size project. John was also famous for his "green thumb" and love of gardening. Each season he had bountiful gardens and many prolific beds of flowers and herbs. He was famous for his apple crops and abundant produce and his hot peppers were not for the weak.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather his life centered around God and his family and the two were entwined in every facet of his life.

Donations may be made to St. Michael's Church, 196 Main St., North Andover, MA 01845 in memory of John Sangermano.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m. in St. Michael's Church, North Andover. Burial will follow at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Andover.  Arrangments were handled by the Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third Street, North Andover.