A new principal will be appointed at Bristol Borough's May 17 school board meeting. They will not begin their duties as principal until July 1.
Girotti, 49, who had served as principal at Snyder since 1978, died of a heart attack on Dec. 22 at Lower Bucks Hospital. The Bristol Borough native also served as teaching principal of the former Jefferson Avenue School in Bristol Borough and as assistant principal at Snyder.
A memorial service was to be held for students and teachers at the elementary school on Friday.
"A lot of people have asked who we will hire to replace John," said Persichetti, who had been a friend of Girotti for the past 30 years. "We can't think of replacing John. What John did for kids, people will never know."
Persichetti said that Girotti, who has been with the district for more than 20 years, became the dad for kids who didn't have fathers. Persichetti said that "kids would swarm around him."
Two years ago, Girotti formed Bitty Basketball for 6- and 7-year-olds. He also formed a youth development program for underprivileged youths at the Buckley Street Youth Center.
Girotti was a junior-varsity boys' high school basketball coach and also served as the school's official scorekeeper for 10 years. He was also a co- coordinator of the Bristol Borough School District's Hall of Fame for high school athletes.
He was also the adviser to JAWS, the Snyder School's parent-teacher organization.
A memorial scholarship fund has been set up in Girotti's name. Contributions may be sent in his name to the attention of Gerri Culligan, Bristol Junior-Senior High School, Wilson Avenue at Garfield Street, Bristol, Pa. 19007.
