President Kennedy's grave before memorial was completed.
The President's grave is on the right, and the headstone on the left
is Patrick Kennedy's grave.
Photo from 1965 MHS Yearbook
Portsmouth area activities will slow almost to a halt over the weekend and Monday for the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.Schools and public offices are to be closed and numerous club, social, and sports programs have been postponed.
A summary of closings:
All Scioto and Pike County rural schools are to be closed. Portsmouth and New Boston schools will open an hour for programs of mourning.
Notre Dame High School and St. Mary's School are to be closed, but Holy Redeemer School will be in session. South Portsmouth Independent School District and Greenup County are uncertain.
"All rural schools of Scioto County will remain closed Monday to pay tribute to our deceased President," Superintendent Edward R. McCowen announced. "This is indeed a dark hour for our country when such a terrible thing can happen in America. All of us express our deep sorrow."
In a joint announcement, C.H. Duduit, superintendent of Portsmouth schools, and Raymond E. Hall, superintendent of New Boston said:
"We feel that our schools can best pay respect to our late President and his family by opening our doors for those who can come at the regular time on Monday for an hour of reflection and meditation either in the home rooms or in an assembly as the principals may direct. We do this as a part of a religious and democratic nation. We believe that the students should then return to their own families for a day of respectful reverence."
Kindergartens are not included in the assembly programming and school buses will not operate.
Supt. J.E. Way reported all Pike County schools will be dismissed in mourning for the late President.
Rev. Charles Jones reported St. Mary's classes will be dismissed, but a memorial requiem high mass will be intoned at 8:30 a.m. at the church for all pupils. Buses will run at the regular time to bring students to the mass and will return them to their homes.
Rev. Raymond Carter, Notre Dame High School principal, said a memorial requiem high mass will be sung at the school at 9 a.m. and students will be dismissed after the service.
Msgr. Hubert Rubeck, Holy redeemer pastor, said all classes have been canceled at the school. Masses are scheduled at 6:30 and 8 a.m. and at noon at the church.
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