“Mr. Orcutt” was my 5th grade teacher (1975-1976) at Shaw Elementary School which is no longer in existence.  Every day he would share a small part of an ongoing story he called “Symbiotica”. The entire class would sit, enraptured, for the 15 minutes he would share of the day’s installment. We learned about the creation and passing of bills in “Super Senate.”  In the summer between my 5th and 6th grades, he created a summer program full of field trips (experiential learning). Never had so many of us been so excited to extend a school year. I would guess the vast majority of the 5th grade class attended “summer school” just to continue to be with him. We had an absolute blast! (Even the visit to the waste treatment center was tolerable!) He was the best teacher I ever had K - Masters and I am so grateful.

To you, his family, I can’t imagine your grief and I am so sorry for your loss. Your husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin was an extraordinary human.  Thank you for sharing him with me.

Peace be with you.

Trisha (Cole) Mahoney