David Kassabian, Jr., marketing communications manager, and later, Boerne (Texas) High School English teacher, died March 29 of lung cancer. He was 66. Following a long career in the life insurance industry, Kassabian became a teacher for Boerne’s Champion High School, eventually serving as English department chair and leading the English curriculum for the district. Returning to education reenergized his career and it became a dedicated and beloved focus of his life. Kassabian especially valued classroom management and mentoring students. He was proud of his Spartan classroom rules – 1) be quiet, 2) be polite, and 3) be productive – and his insistence on referring to his students with the courtesy titles of “Mr.” and “Ms.” He said his 13 years with the district were very happy and rewarding. He was thoughtful, caring, and highly principled with an irreverent and subtle sense of humor. Kassabian loved playing backgammon, especially with his brother and daughter, and enjoyed a short-yet-prolific turn as an amateur ceramic potter. A Worcester, Mass., native, he enjoyed walking local beaches with his wife and dog after moving back to New England last year. He is survived by his wife Stephanie, children David Alan and Natalie, parents David Sr. and Elizabeth, brother Brian, several cousins and many in-laws and extended family and friends. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Boerne Education Foundation in memory of David Kassabian, Jr., at http://www.boerneeducationfoundation.org. To leave a condolence or share a memory, please click below.