Dead Poet’s Society: John Noonan and the power of words, at Willow Hall in Morristown

Poetry by the late John Noonan was recited at Willow Hall by family members (L-R) David C. Noonan, David Noonan, Margaret Noonan, Michael Noonan and Bridgid Tatlow. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Sometimes we forget the power of words.

It’s easy to do in an age of multimedia bombardment.

John Noonan delivered a reminder from beyond the grave on Friday, filling elegant Willow Hall with laughter and tears using nothing more than words, artfully arranged and preserved on paper.

The Morristown native died of cancer last year. But he was resurrected, if only for a few minutes, by poetry he wrote during a 57-year journey that included, according to a family biography, experiences as a “fry-cook, dishwasher, deck hand, carpenter, tree surgeon, tent-man, secretary, service-station attendant, caddy, bartender, landscaper and house painter.”

“John’s poems are meant to be read aloud,” said John’s brother Michael Noonan, one of five family members who recited John’s poetry for a roomful of family and friends.

“With these words, he’ll never be gone. He’ll live forever.”

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Poetry by the late John Noonan was recited at Willow Hall by family members (L-R) David C. Noonan, David Noonan, Margaret Noonan, Michael Noonan and Bridgid Tatlow. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

John Noonan was fortunate to grow up in a family that treasures words. His sister Margaret Noonan, who organized Friday’s celebration, is an actress and playwright whose Revolving Door Studios introduces Shakespeare and American historical drama to elementary school students.

Another brother, David Noonan, is a former Newsweek editor and author of a novel, Memoirs of a Caddy.

Michael Noonan is Morristown’s municipal judge. Readings also were given by Margaret’s daughter, Bridgid Tatlow, who is studying English literature at Fordham; and by David’s son, David C. Noonan, a 2006 Morristown High graduate who studied biology at Vassar.

The audience included some of John Noonan’s classmates from the now-defunct Bayley-Ellard High School in Madison. One of them, Michael Gaffney, became personal photographer for Muhammad Ali. Another friend, Glen Walker, fondly recalled times spent with John at the Stone Fox, a student hangout on Morristown’s Market Street that also is long gone.

Greg Egan, an artist who co-founded Morristown’s Gallery Egan, remembered the young John Noonan as someone who could bang out blues lyrics after the first chord change.

“He was a low-key guy, but he was ‘there,'” Greg said.

John Noonan spent more than 20 years as an administrator for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris, where his widow and three children live. Yet he never stopped sending poems home to Morristown.

Michael Noonan said he never fully appreciated his brother’s poetry until he began reciting them in preparation for Friday’s readings. One poem is about turning 50.

“On one page, he put my whole life,” said the judge, who is determined to make the readings an annual event. He also envisions a high school poetry scholarship to honor his late brother.

“His poems are special,” Michael said.

SEE ALSO:

Video: John Noonan, street poet, will be celebrated at Willow Hall in Morristown

Stay tuned for more video of John Noonan’s poetry.

1 COMMENT

  1. What a special event, honoring a special person from a special family and held in a special place. That’s what I love about Morristown, Margret Brady

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