Page created by: The Pociluyko Family

High School Science Educator, Science Department Head,
Science Specialist for Baltimore City and Howard County

Nicholas D. Pociluyko Jr., a high school science educator, science department head and science specialist for Baltimore City and Howard County, passed away at home on January 12. He courageously battled young onset Parkinson's Disease for over 28 years. He was 70.

Nick was born in Northampton, Pennsylvania and spent his childhood on many army bases in the and Germany. His parents were Major Nicholas D. Pociluyko Sr. and Delphina Pociluyko, a nurse. He moved to the Baltimore area in the late 1950s and was a 1964 graduate of Woodlawn High School. He met his wife, Elaine, in an organic chemistry class at what is now Towson University, and graduated with a BS in Biology and a minor in chemistry in 1969. He also received his in Science Education, through a National Science Foundation Grant from Morgan State University in 1973.

He began his teaching career at Patterson High School in 1969 and taught there until 1979. His students said that Mr. Pociluyko employed many innovative teaching techniques that made them want to learn science. He had students act out complicated biochemical reactions in order to make them more understandable. Mr. Pociluyko particularly focused on environmental education. To this day many colleagues say he was ahead of his time in teaching students to be good stewards of the Earth and to be aware of food additives and chemicals when reading ingredient labels. In 1979 -1980 he became Science Department Head at Edmondson High School.

From 1980 -1985 Mr. Pociluyko was a science specialist in Baltimore City. As a science specialist he influenced many new teachers and helped them be more successful in the classroom. Mr. Pociluyko organized and conducted Baltimore Citys Science Fair, conducted many professional workshops and networked with both statewide and national science education organizations. He presented workshops at the National Science Teachers Association conventions and Maryland Association of Science Teachers conventions. For many years he taught science classes on Saturdays for the College for Kids program at Towson University. He also served on the School Board at St. Michael the Archangel School for five years. Howard County Public Schools encouraged Mr. Pociluyko to be a science specialist in Howard County, where he served for eighteen months.

Mr. Pociluyko ended his career as Science Department Head at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He developed young-onset Parkinson's Disease at the age of 42 in October 1988, but still managed to continue working for eleven years in the profession he loved. In fact, his students nominated Mr. Pociluyko for one of the WJZ-TV Champions of Courage awards towards the ending of his career.

Among his many outstanding achievements over his thirty-two years in education was being named Maryland's Outstanding Science Teacher of the year. Mr. Pociluyko was also recognized by the Maryland Association of Science Teachers for his many contributions to both students and science educators upon his retirement in 2001.

"He was an outstanding colleague, always able to walk that thin line of giving you advice, even if you didn't want to hear it, and being loyal and supportive of your actions. I think he remembered every favor or kindness ever done to him. He will be deeply missed as a colleague, educator and friend." Jose Barata, Westminster, MD

"Mr. Pociluyko was an excellent teacher. I was proud to have been one of his students." Emory Mills , Baltimore, MD

"He was my favorite teacher for my favorite class of 12th grade Advanced Biology in 1976. He peaked my interest in biology and I became a biology major in college due to his influence. I remember his food additives lessons and the chemicals that he told us all to beware of in our foods. He signed my yearbook, "Pass the BHT". Thank you for making learning fun!" John Purvis '76, Abingdon, MD

"My memories of him are from his career as an excellent science teacher and science specialist. He was genuinely concerned for every student and teacher he worked with. He showed great courage over the years dealing with Parkinson's Disease." Dr. Andrea Bowden, Baltimore, MD

"He was a great teacher, very smart & helpful. I had him senior year at Poly & I just remember how encouraging he was to me. I'm glad I had a chance to know him." Janice Bess, Baltimore, MD

"Advanced Biology class of '76 . He enjoyed teaching and science. This kind man encouraged me to go to college. I wished I could have let him know that I became a nurse. I think he'd have been pleased. " Mark Clagett

Even in his disability retirement, he continued to volunteer for the science departments where his wife was still employed. He spent eleven years volunteering at both Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts and Hereford High School. He was a guest lecturer in the AP Psychology and Health classes and his courage in discussing his disease was an inspiration to them.

He courageously adapted to each stage of his Parkinson's Disease. In 2002, he was one of the early Deep Brain Stimulator patients at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Mr. Pociluyko was an amazing man who was the epitome of courage, kindness, humility and love for God, his family and others. He never complained about his debilitating disease and always continued to forge forward. Nick was the ultimate handyman who could fix and build anything. He directed the addition of a second story to his family's first Cape Cod house, completing all the interior framing and finishing himself. He truly had the mind of an engineer.

Nick loved Wockenfuss chocolate, Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies, and sitting at the kitchen table reading The Baltimore Sun. Of course, Nick was a corvette man. He owned three in his lifetime and until the end said there was nothing like riding in a vette. Every fall he would make the pilgrimage to Ocean City, MD for the Freestate Corvette Convention. He drove his corvette down the boardwalk twice in the parade held during that weekend. His greatest attribute was always looking for ways to perform random acts of kindness for others.

Another one of his loves was being at the beach. He loved spending time at his Fenwick Island beach house. Just sitting on the sunporch, riding bikes or sitting on the beach, Nick loved the relaxing atmosphere. When he crossed over the Bay Bridge, he felt like he left all his problems on the other side.

He had many roles in this life as a science educator, administrator, handyman, grandfather, father, and husband. In addition to Elaine, his wife of 46 years, he is survived by a son, James Pociluyko, of Baltimore and a daughter, Janine Field of Perry Hall, Maryland. He also had seven grandchildren: Evelyn, Alex, Owen and Annalise Pociluyko and Elliot, Willa Anne, and Emilia Nicole Field.

A funeral mass was held on January 18 at St. Michael the Archangel Church with interment at St. Joseph Fullerton cemetery.