Dr. John P. Cummings ’55

Dr. John P. Cummings, Fremont, CA, died August 8, 2024.

John was named the College’s Alumnus of the Year at Reunion in 2015.

He was born in Westfield, MA, sharing his early years with two brothers and two sisters. Much like his mother, who left Ireland at 16 to come to America, John was the first of his family to leave Westfield and attend college.

John graduated from Westfield’s Saint Mary’s High School, class of 1951, before attending Saint Michael’s where he was an active member of the Air Force ROTC, earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1955.

Upon graduation, he entered active duty in the Air Force. Over the next 38 years, John served his country during active and reserve duty in the USAF, retiring as a colonel in 1993. As a civilian, John, a constant learner, achieved multiple advanced degrees including a master’s in environmental engineering from the University of Toledo, a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin, and a law degree from the University of Toledo. John spent over 40 years as an environmental consultant, integrating his expertise in science and law to play a pivotal role in national and international remediation projects.

John was a voracious consumer of books, British comedies and dramas, apple pie (a la mode or with a slice of cheddar), and coffee (black). In addition to flying around the world in the Air Force, John traveled across Europe, Central America, and Asia with his family. During family trips to Ireland, he reconnected with the “Irish cousins” to retrace family roots with his children.

John’s spirit of generosity and service extended beyond his family. John was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, fundraiser for Saint Michael’s, scoutmaster and merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America, Corpus Christi Church Finance Committee member and usher, and head announcer with CYO sporting.

John is survived by his wife, Marilyn, a sister and extended family.