HASLINGER JOHN PAUL HASLINGER (Age 69) John Haslinger considered himself a ridiculously fortunate person. He was. And so were all of us who were lucky enough to know and love him. John grew up in Greenbelt, MD and credited his childhood there for giving him a deep sense of community and many lifelong friendships. He attended St. Hugh's School and DeMatha High School. Following four years in the Air Force, including a year of service in Vietnam, he received a BA in Education from the University of MD and a Masters in Counseling from Bowie State University. John was proud of being an educator. He loved his students and respected his colleagues. Much of his 36-year career in the Prince George's County Public School System was spent in Langley Park, a community to which he was devoted. John had an amazing gift for friendship. He appreciated people for who they were and gathered people to himself with his generosity, good humor and kindness. He enjoyed robust political debate. He believed strongly in democracy and that true patriotism allowed for the expression of dissent. John loved being out in nature: birding, gardening, being at the beach. He loved NPR, photography, and traveling with his beloved Betsy to State Capitals. Born into a large family, John loved nothing better than to share stories and laughter with them. John loved his many nieces and nephews who each felt that they were his favorite, and each was correct. John passed away peacefully at home of colo-rectal cancer on Tuesday, October 14, 2014. Beloved husband of Betsy Mewshaw; son of the late Joseph T. and Henrietta P. Haslinger; brother of Robert (Karen), Henry, Thomas (Joanne Colt), Henrietta Bradley, Joan Mohan (the late John), Nancy (Jim Johnson), Mary Rogers (Greg), Andrea (Gary Solis) and the late Reverend Joseph T. Haslinger. Mass of the Christian Burial at St. Hugh of Grenoble Church, 135 Crescent Road, Greenbelt on Saturday, October 18 at 11 a.m. Family will greet friends starting at 10:30 a.m. Interment at Greenbelt Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Washington School for Girls (washingtonschoolforgirls.org) and/or DeMatha High School (dematha.org). If nicknames are a sign of affection, John was truly loved. In his life, he was known as Johnny, John Paul, JP, John T., Auntie John, Slinger, Mr. Haslinger, Slutch and Biff. A good man, by any name, whom we will always love and always miss. www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.comwww.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com