I know the anniversary of Mr. Ponsi's death is coming and I just wanted to send my prayers to the family. He was truly a great guy and will never be forgotten..

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

So sad to hear about the passing of Mr. Ponsi. My two siblings and I attended Monsignor Donovan, and we were all fortunate enough to have him as a math teacher. I was terrible at math, but Mr. Ponsi's engaging humor and voracious love of his subject saved me from certain failure. No doubt, hundreds of former students have thousands of amazing stories about his jokes, kindness, and general brilliance. We were all better math students for having learned algebra from him, and we are all better people for having learned from his humanity.

Mr Ponsi made me love math and I share that with my children today. I loved the way he could joke about his orange gremlin. He always made school fun which I now see is very hard for a teacher to do. His positive personality stays with me to this day!

First off, I would like to extend my sincerest and deepest condolences to Mr. Ponsi's family. I do not have to tell you what a wonderful man Don Ponsi is and always will be. He has touched so many lives and even years later, after having him as my Algebra 1 teacher I think of how he taught me to look at math as not my enemy but as another subject that I grew to understand after many classes of his encouraging words. Mr. Ponsi was truly one of a kind and a phenomenal teacher. May he rest in everlasting peace and may his family and friends take great comfort knowing what a wonderful person he was and how many kids he taught to love school and always reach for the stars and never stop learning. The world will definetly be missing such a kind hearted soul ❤️

Mr. Ponsi was one of the best teachers I've ever had at MDHS. If it was for his patience and never ending sense of humor I would have never passed Algebra. He worked with me, what seems like every day, for an entire semester during and after school. I don't think I've known a more dedicated teacher. I have told my children often of my gratitude and hope someday they will have a teacher with such dedication to thier education as he was to mine. Rest East Mr. Ponsi. You will surly be missed.

My sincere condolences to Mr Ponsi's family and friends. Mr Ponsi taught me math 34 years ago. He made math exciting and gave me confidence to rise to a challenge. His sense of humor was unparalleled. I now work with children as well and use many of the jokes he did. RIP Mr Ponsi. You were well loved and very much appreciated by your students.

Mr. Ponsi was an amazing teacher, and I was lucky to have him for my math class. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Class of 99

I am so very sad to hear of Mr. Ponzi's passing. I will always have fond memories of being in his class and laughing my way through math. I met "Ponzi-O" when I was in 1st grade because my mom worked at the high school. He always made me smile. He taught and tutored both myself and my brother, who is 10 years older than me. My deepest sympathy to your family. He was a wonderful man and teacher.