Braintree mourns sudden death of High School Guidance Director

By Jessica Bartlett, Town Correspondent

Members of the Braintree community are mourning the sudden loss of 63-year-old Braintree High School Guidance Counselor Anthony King, who died unexpectedly last Thursday.

A Hingham resident, King was employed with Braintree Public Schools for 35 years, where he not only worked as director of guidance, but as an active counselor himself.

“Tony’s passing is a devastating loss to our school system,” Superintendent Dr. Peter Kurzberg said in an email to the school community last Friday. “He was as highly respected by students, staff, parents, and colleagues with whom he worked throughout the state as any individual could be.”

Not only will King be remembered for his work at Braintree High, but also for his work as a volunteer with the Office for Children. He was also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Laura Warcup Distinguished Educators Award from the Norfolk County Teachers Association.

King served as president of the South Shore Guidance Directors; was a member of the National Education Association, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Braintree Education Association, the Norfolk County Teachers Association, and the Massachusetts School Counselors Association; and was actively involved with FOCUS, a Catholic school counselors association.

“His years in the Guidance Department allowed him to serve thousands of students and their parents with the utmost personal care and professionalism. We have all lost a wonderful, caring and compassionate human being,” Kurzberg said.

King leaves behind his wife Jane Kreinsen-King, who retired in June as an English teacher from Braintree High School.

He also is survived by mother Mary T King of Dorchester, and many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

“With his deep-rooted humility, with his most gentle nature, with his extraordinary, unfailing kindness, and with his amazing ability to listen and to empathize with others, Tony truly showed each of us how this life should be led,” family members wrote in an obituary.

Visiting hours were held on Monday at John J. O’Connor & Son Funeral Home, with a service on Tuesday morning.

If desired, donations may be made to Father Bill’s Place, 38 Broad Street, Quincy, Mass., 02169.

Grief counseling will also be available at Braintree High School on Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To read more about King’s life, read the full obituary here.