Who is Arthur T. Cummings?
Arthur T. Cummings was born on January 20, 1931 in Belmont, MA. During his childhood, he spent his summers on Point Shirley in Winthrop
where he developed his lifelong love of the ocean. After graduating high school, “Arky,” as he was known to his many friends, attended St. Anselm
College in Manchester, NH, and became a very proud alumni. After graduating in 1953, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army and served
stateside during the Korean War. Arky married the love of his life, Barbara Boisvert, in October of 1955. They would soon move to Winthrop where
they would settle and raise their five children. Arthur T. Cummings began his career as a teacher at Winthrop Senior High School on September 1, 1956. He served as the assistant principal at the Junior High School from September of 1963 to June of 1967 and the principal of the E.B. Newton School from September of 1967 to June 30 of 1972. Arthur’s last, and longest post, as the principal of the N.E. Willis School, which was located at the current site of the Arthur T. CummingsSchool, lasted from September 1, 1972 until his retirement in February 1993.
Upon retiring, when Arky wasn’t traveling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren (11 in all), he worked tirelessly to ensure that two new elementary schools were built in Winthrop. In addition to his volunteer positions on the School Building Committee, Arky was involved in numerous organizations in Winthrop over the years, lending his time, energy and spirit. He made positive contributions and touched countless lives, as an educator, mentor or friend, but usually all three. His influence spanned multiple generations. For many long-time residents of Winthrop, Arky was their high school math teacher and their children’s
principal at the Willis School. For some he was even their grandchildren’s principal! Somehow he remembered everybody, always taking the time to stop and ask about their life and family, and truly listening to their answers. Arky was a very special, caring gentleman and devoted educator, who undoubtedly deserved the extraordinary honor of having a school named for him during his lifetime. He passed away on March 7, 2016.