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Christopher Underwood in an undated photo. Grafton High School photo.
By Richard Price
Grafton News Editor
Christopher Underwood, a Grafton High School math teacher died Tuesday morning after an illness. He was 38.
Grafton Public School Superintendent James Cummings made the announcement during the school committee meeting Tuesday night. A moment of silence was observed.
“Chris’s passing is a tremendous loss for the Grafton community,” said Cummings in a statement. “Chris was an outstanding teacher and person as well as a friend to many. He did a great deal of good and positively impacted many people over the past 16 years as a teacher in Grafton. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and wife, Vicky. He is going to be missed.”
Grafton High School Principal James Pignataro was shaken by the news. “I’ve known Chris since he was a freshman in Grafton High School,” Pignataro said when he himself was a social studies teacher. “He was an outstanding teacher and person in the high school and the community.” Pignataro said Underwood was a Grafton native. During his time as a teacher Pignataro said Underwood helped the school community at many levels including class advisor. “He wore many hats and was ready to take on the challenge to teach statistics. It is a loss for Grafton.”
The Grafton High principal said a period of mourning will be observed including counseling for students and faculty who are seeking it.
He also said the district will begin seeking a replacement and is confident a new teacher will be on board by the first day of school on Aug. 29.
The school district was in a similar and sad situation last year when Grafton High physics teacher Jeremy Eschelbacher died suddenly while on vacation with his family in Maine.
Calling hours for Underwood will be Friday, Aug. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester Street. A complete obituary is on our website.
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