‘He was a great man’
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
3/28/2008

School district remembers long-time Cherry Hill East assistant principal

Students, administrators and teachers in the Cherry Hill School District fondly remembered and shared their grief over the passing of the well-loved and long-time Cherry Hill High School East Assistant Principal Len Terranova.

Terranova passed away at the age of 65 due to an apparent heart attack on March 18 after returning from the senior trip to Florida. Terranova served as the assistant principal at Cherry Hill High School East for the past 35 years, Principal Dr. John O’Breza said.

It is currently unknown who will serve as the assistant principal in Terranova’s stead, he said.

Terranova, a graduate of Camden Catholic High School, served at Camden Catholic High School for 10 years prior to coming to the school district, O’Breza said.

“He was a great man. When people learned of Len’s death, I had administrators, students and teachers come to us to offer their support through this difficult time,” O’Breza said last week. “This entire week, I’ve been receiving phone calls and e-mails from parents and students who wanted to share stories about Len.

“I’ve received messages from people who graduated from the high school in the 70s who vividly remember Mr. Terranova’s good deeds.”

Terranova was dedicated to turning students onto the fine arts and was heavily involved in the school’s dramatic arts and music programs, O’Breza said.

He loved participating as a chaperone when the senior students went down to Florida for their senior trip, O’Breza said. He attended the trip every other year and often remarked on how much he enjoyed interacting with the students.

“The thing about Len, he was just so happy to be here with us, it was just a perfect fit,” O’Breza said. “Who would have known when he came here he would be here for 35 great years. He was a legend.”

Counselors are on hand throughout the district and are available to meet with either students or teachers who need to deal with their grief. A program to honor Terranova is being planned, O’Breza said, but details were not yet available.