Obituaries » Sebastian J. Esposito
Sebastian J. Esposito
Sebastian Joseph Esposito, 89, of Lynchburg, passed away on Sunday, December12, 2021 at The Summit Health and Rehab in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was the husband of Dorothy “Dot” Ann Williams Esposito for 64 wonderful years.
Born in Dover, New Jersey on July 11, 1932, he was a son of the late Joseph James Esposito and Margaret Elizabeth Parks Esposito. He was the oldest child with a sister, Betty Esposito and a brother, Robert Esposito that preceded him in death.
He attended Dover High School and then attended Montclair State University, majoring in English. His love of the English language and “big words” continued throughout his life and career. His career started as an English teacher at Newton High School and at West Morris Regional High School District. He then started teaching English at Randolph High School, where he became Vice Principal and finished his career as Randolph High School’s Principal. His love of teaching also included officiating high school football and participating in RHS theater.
Sebastian and Dorothy retired at Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Virginia where he spent his time fishing, hunting and doing the New York Times crossword puzzles.
Sebastian was also a veteran who proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Teri Mygas of Virginia Beach, Virginia, his son, Joseph Esposito (Victoria) of Bedford, Virginia; five grandchildren; Stefan Mygas (Melissa) of Newport News, Virginia, Lauren Mehalso (Matt) of Marietta, Georgia, Alison Keefe (Dan) of Richmond, Virginia, Maggie Esposito of Roanoke, Virginia and Olivia Esposito of Bedford, Virginia and five great-grandchildren.
To send condolences online please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Roanoke, VA is assisting the family.
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Saddened to hear or Mr. Esposito's passing. He was one of the most level headed men I have ever met and served as an inspiration to me and I'm sure countless others. As a school administrator he was fair, level headed and kind. He exhibited an inert wisdom and understanding of people. I was sent to the principal's office and spent the rest of the day on in-house suspension for socking a trouble maker who attacked a friend of mine on crutches. I figured I was done for. Mr. Esposito quietly congratulated me and told me not to worry, the kid was a bad seed and it was about time someone stood up to him. There were certainly other less volatile instances where I sought his advice and counseling and he, as always, knew just the right thing to say. I believe most would agree he set the standard for what an educator and school administrator should be. Rest in peace Mr. Esposito. You will be remembered with appreciation and love.
Posted by Bill Hays on January 20, 2022
Saddened to hear or Mr. Esposito's passing. He was one of the most level headed men I have ever met and served as an inspiration to me and I'm sure countless others. As a school administrator he was fair, level headed and kind. He exhibited an inert wisdom and understanding of people. I was sent to the principal's office and spent the rest of the day on in-house suspension for socking a trouble maker who attacked a friend of mine on crutches. I figured I was done for. Mr. Esposito quietly congratulated me and told me not to worry, the kid was a bad seed and it was about time someone stood up to him. There were certainly other less volatile instances where I sought his advice and counseling and he, as always, knew just the right thing to say. I believe most would agree he set the standard for what an educator and school administrator should be. Rest in peace Mr. Esposito. You will be remembered with appreciation and love.
Posted by Bill Hays on January 20, 2022
Saddened to hear or Mr. Esposito's passing. He was one of the most level headed men I have ever met and served as an inspiration to me and I'm sure countless others. As a school administrator he was fair, level headed and kind. He exhibited an inert wisdom and understanding of people. I was sent to the principal's office and spent the rest of the day on in-house suspension for socking a trouble maker who attacked a friend of mine on crutches. I figured I was done for. Mr. Esposito quietly congratulated me and told me not to worry, the kid was a bad seed and it was about time someone stood up to him. There were certainly other less volatile instances where I sought his advice and counseling and he, as always, knew just the right thing to say. I believe most would agree he set the standard for what an educator and school administrator should be. Rest in peace Mr. Esposito. You will be remembered with appreciation and love.
Posted by Bill Hays on January 20, 2022
Saddened to hear or Mr. Esposito's passing. He was one of the most level headed men I have ever met and served as an inspiration to me and I'm sure countless others. As a school administrator he was fair, level headed and kind. He exhibited an inert wisdom and understanding of people. I was sent to the principal's office and spent the rest of the day on in-house suspension for socking a trouble maker who attacked a friend of mine on crutches. I figured I was done for. Mr. Esposito quietly congratulated me and told me not to worry, the kid was a bad seed and it was about time someone stood up to him. There were certainly other less volatile instances where I sought his advice and counseling and he, as always, knew just the right thing to say. I believe most would agree he set the standard for what an educator and school administrator should be. Test in peace Mr. Esposito. You will be remembered with appreciation and love.
Posted by Bill Hays on January 20, 2022
To Dot and all of Joe's extended family I send my sincere sympathy for your loss. May God's peace and love be with you in the days ahead. Joe was a very special friend to me throughout our professional life. We both taught at West Morris Regional High School before arriving at Randolph High School. It was at Joe's recommendation that I applied for the Science Department Chairman's position at Randolph. Joe was one of the best and most professional educators I have had the privilege of working with for over thirty-two years. We continued relationship after our retirements, exchanging email messages about our life in retirement. The last message I received from Joe's email address was on Sunday Dec. 5th, 2021 at 10:30 PM. Ironically, the message was completely blank. God Rest His Soul. You are in my prayers. Elmer
Posted by Elmer Dey on January 19, 2022
Sincere sympathy to the Esposito Family. Joe was my first principal at RHS and modeled true leadership. Joe treated all staff with the utmost respect and valued them as members of the team. A true icon of RHS - it was an honor and a pleasure to work for and with him. Rest In Peace!
Posted by Debbie on January 18, 2022
Joe hired me and was a mentor for many years. I loved him and respected him as an educator and administrator. I loved the fact that as a fellow English teacher, he showed, through example, how important it was to have an intelligent command of the English language. RIP, Joe!
Posted by Beverly Wheeler on January 18, 2022
Dear Joe. Fantastic leader and great friend. May God bless everyone in the family. Whether Joe was using words I never heard of, observing my class or walking the halls with a Turkey call, he will always have my gratitude and respect. RIP old friend. He remains a part of some of my favorite stories-when Randolph HS was great. Greg Dimiceli.
Posted by Greg on January 18, 2022
Deepest sympathy to the Esposito family in their loss. Joe hired me his first year as a principal. He was a kind, fair man who will be greatly missed.
Posted by Mindy Turner on January 18, 2022
Mr. Esposito was a true educator and leader, and left a big impression on me as a Randolph High School student and graduate. Our family had moved to Randolph from another community when I was starting 7th grade, and I remember Mr. Esposito making all students feel welcome and involved. My condolences to Dorothy and all of the Esposito family members. (I just saw the post on an RHS alumni Facebook group page today.)
Posted by Mark on January 18, 2022
Mr. Esposito was a true educator and leader, and left a big impression on me as a Randolph High School student and graduate. Our family had moved to Randolph from another community when I was starting 7th grade, and I remember Mr. Esposito making all students feel welcome and involved. My condolences to Dorothy and all of the Esposito family members. (I just saw the post on an RHS alumni Facebook group page today.)
Posted by Mark on January 18, 2022
Hello, Seems word is getting out late to the Randolph High School community. My sympathies to the Esposito family. He was well-liked as a principal.
Posted by Daniel Zudkevitch` on January 18, 2022
Sorry to here about Mr. Esposito`s passing. He was great person, friendly, realistic, a class act. As anyone who knew him he left a lasting impression. Remember a situation where a friend of mine was defending a girl that had special needs was being locked in a closet by this student. my friend came to her defense decked the kid. This led to Joe`s office where Mr Esposito said that he believed that he did the right thing , but I still have to suspend you. Saw Joe at Randolph Hall of Fame Ceremony where he was inducted as Administrator, well deserved. Thanks to Gary Gorman for the ticket. I'm sure that over the years there are thousands of memories and lives he has touched. I would call this a Life well Lived! He'll be missed, always remembered!
Posted by jim fiscus on January 18, 2022
Taken at Randolph High School at a Hall of Fame event. (With Barry, Julie and Ed Bilinkas)
Posted by Julie Bilinkas on January 18, 2022
We were so saddened to learn of Mr. Esposito's passing. We are both RHS graduates... Barry from the class of 1970, and me (Julie) from the class of 1979. We both had the same experience with "Mr. Espo"... he saw the potential in us (even if we weren't quite sure yet we had any) and treated us lovingly and with respect. He was such a likable man. Years later, when we gave birth to our firstborn (in 1993) we went back to the high school to introduce Mr. Espo to our baby girl. He was such an important person in both of our lives and he always made us both feel valued, respected and heard.. like we really mattered. We are sending love and prayers to the entire Esposito family.
Posted by Julie and Barry Bilinkas on January 18, 2022
Words cannot describe the death of Mr. Esposito’s impact on our society. He was my vice principal and was one of the most respected, intelligent yet down to earth men that I have had the pleasure ok knowing. He had the respect of both the faculty and student body. He could be described as “firm yet fair” when dealing with disciplinary issues in the school. I never witnessed him raise his voice, always remaining calm and in control throughout the school day. My prayers go out to Mrs. Esposito, Teri, Joe and the rest of his family and friends.
Posted by Dr. Gary Gorman on January 18, 2022
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