The Notre Dame community lost a beloved friend yesterday as longtime educator and administrator Harold (Hal) Rice passed away at his home in Warren. According to his daughter, Terri Krasicky, he died peacefully Sunday.
Rice spent more than 50 years as a faculty member at Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods and Notre Dame Preparatory School in Pontiac. He retired in 2009 but still continued to teach part time at NDP.
Much loved and respected by both former students and fellow teachers, Rice had a big impact on all he came in contact with. In a recent issue of Notre Dame's alumni magazine, "IRISH," Alexis (Burns) Bonucchi, O.D., a 1997 graduate of ND Prep, said “I loved Mr. Rice. He had such a good way of relating to us as teenagers. He never made you feel stupid."
Nineteen seventy-five NDHS graduate Michael Paletta, M.D., said in another issue of IRISH that he thought Rice made him a better scholar, more thorough researcher, better writer and a "more critical thinker.”
NDPMA vice president Andy Guest, a 1984 NDHS alum, said: "One of the most beautiful persons I have ever known. What a truly great and classy man." Frank Castonova, who graduated from NDHS in 1989, says Rice was his AP U.S. history teacher during his junior year and church history teacher during his senior year. "What a kind, gentle and thoughtful man. May he rest in peace and may pleasant memories bring a smile to those who knew and loved him."
Ken Parent, who taught with Rice at both NDHS and Notre Dame Prep, said that Rice was his mentor when he was just starting out as a teacher at Notre Dame in Harper Woods. "He cared about everyone—faculty, staff and especially students. He was so lovable because he was so down-to-earth. Everyone could relate to him. He'll surely be missed."
"For those of us who were fortunate enough to be taught by Hal Rice, this is truly sad news," adds Kris Powell, a 1975 NDHS graduate and member of the NDPMA Board of Trustees. "I would dare say that if you asked anyone who attended ND to list their best teachers, his name would always come up. Mr. Rice was engaging, intelligent, and indeed one of the best teachers I have ever had. His lasting legacy is all of the fine men and women he was able to influence and make them better people."
After growing up on the east side of Detroit, Rice attended the Patronage of St. Joseph Catholic School under the tutelage of the Felician nuns. In the sixth grade, his parents moved to Warren Township and he completed grade school in Warren and attended Warren High School.
He majored in history and political science at Wayne State University in hopes of working for the government. After finishing with a BA from WSU and later an MA in history from the University of Detroit, he accepted a position with the Michigan Employment Security Commission. He soon realized his true calling was in education and began a five-year stint teaching at St. Sebastian grade school in Dearborn Heights.
In 1963, he accepted a position with NDHS where he taught history and religion, served in the administration and coached a number of athletic teams. At Notre Dame Prep, in addition to teaching history and religion, he served as assistant principal and vice principal under current head of school Fr. Leon Olszamowski, s.m., who said: "What a great man, great exemplar of Marist life, great teacher and confidant of the young. I am very, very saddened by Harold’s passing. He taught with us, the Marists, for 51 years before his retirement at Notre Dame High School and Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy."
Visitation information for Hal Rice:
Wednesday, July 17
2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
E. J. Mandziuk & Son Funeral Directors, Inc.
3801 18 Mile Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48314
Obituary
Harold P. Rice, age 80, was lifted to heaven on July 14, 2013.
Beloved husband of the late Emily.
Loving father of David (Peggy), Maria (Stan) Brish and Terri(Brian) Krasicky.
Dear grandfather of David, Mattea, Michael, Luc, Kari (Ted) Drogosh and Ronnie (Jaime) Zatkoff and great-grandfather of Cooper, Brady and Dalton.
Cherished brother of Penny (Chet) Lipinski and the late Donald (Betty).
The Rice family will be receiving family and friends Wednesday 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. rosary service at the Sterling Heights Chapel of the E.J. Mandziuk & Son Funeral Home, 3801 18 Mile Rd. (NW corner of 18 & Ryan).
Funeral mass Thursday 10:30 a.m. at SS. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 41233 Ryan Rd. Mr. Rice will lie in state at 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass.
Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Notre Dame Preparatory School.