Special scholarship has been created in memory of John Toscano.
By: Emily Holody
After John Toscano died in May, his daughters decided to create a legacy to remember him by.
In lieu of flowers, Nancy Saraceni, Judith Toscano, Sallie Toscano and friend, Jackie Bleasdale, asked that mourners send contributions to a scholarship fund they decided to set up in his name. Three months later, the family has received more than $1,000 toward the scholarship, and they have found two ways in which Mr. Toscano can be remembered.
The Toscano family has set up a scholarship fund in Mr. Toscano’s name, and would like to raise enough money to name a new greenhouse at Princeton High School after him.
Mr. Toscano bought the Rejays Flower Farm on Plainsboro Road in Cranbury 50 years ago. He began growing flowers full time after retiring as a horticulture teacher from Princeton High School in 1990, and his daughters continue to work the farm, which houses five greenhouses.
It was his contribution to Princeton High School, however, that made his daughters want to set up ways for the school to remember him.
"He was a fabulous teacher," said Sallie Toscano.
Former students wrote letters to him while he was sick earlier this year wishing him well and reminiscing about how much he meant to them.
"In the school year of 1972-1973 I took a memorable class with ‘Mr. T,’ our beloved horticulture teacher. I was so sorry to learn of his passing. Mr. Toscano will be remembered proudly by his many devoted students," wrote Ann Martin in a letter to The Cranbury Press.
Mr. Toscano’s love of farming helped him to create the horticulture department in Princeton High School. He taught horticulture to freshman through seniors for 27 years, and the curriculum he developed is still used in the department today.
"He was a hands-on teacher," said Sallie Toscano. "He always used to say all you have to do is plant the seed and watch it grow."
The scholarship fund is set up to award students with an interest in and affinity for horticulture.
"It would go to a senior that’s graduating, and if there were two people eligible for it, they’d both get it," said Sallie Toscano.
After setting up the scholarship fund with her sisters, Ms. Toscano visited Princeton High School and discovered that a new greenhouse had been built on the premises.
"We would now like to get donations so we can dedicate the greenhouse to my father," she said.
Princeton High School asked for more than $5,000 to name the greenhouse after Mr. Toscano, but Sallie Toscano struck a deal with the school.
"I’m going to work alongside the horticulture department," she said. "They will come out to the farm, plant something, and then watch it progress and sell it at the end. The money will go toward the scholarship."
The $5,000 the Toscano family needs to raise for the greenhouse dedication will go toward the science and horticulture departments, and the other parts will be used generally around the school. Part will be used for a plaque that will go up for her father, said Sallie Toscano.
Money seems to be rolling in already. Former student Jane Read Martin, a 1975 graduate of PHS, donated $150 and in a letter to the school wrote that her experience with Mr. Toscano changed the way "I look a trees, plant a seed, even eat an apple.
"He was warm and funny somewhat unusual for a teacher and he spoke to us as adults, never using a condescending tone or authoritarian manner," she wrote.
To donate to either the Toscano Scholarship Fund or for the Greenhouse Fund, send donation to Mr. Toscano Horticulture/Greenhouse PHS Fund, P.O. Box 444, Cranbury, N.J. 08512.

