Local Look: Crossing Guard John Nuneviller Sets the Standard for Safety

A 35-mile-per-hour zone. A high school with teenage drivers. A main thoroughfare. These are all the things that John J. Nuneviller Sr., Upper Dublin crossing guard, has to deal with when protecting his charges, many of the children of Fort Washington.

Nuneviller, with a smile on his face and his arms out as he directs cars and kids, can be found every school day at the corner of Thomas Drive and Fort Washington Avenue, somewhat in between Fort Washington Elementary School and Upper Dublin High School.

Nuneviller crosses the elementary and high school kids both before and after school, starting his work with the high schoolers while most of the elementary school children are still asleep.

Crossing guards in Upper Dublin are employees of both the school district and the police department. Nuneviller reports to a police department supervisor, but his salary is paid by both the school system and the police.

How hard does Nuneviller find the job?

“I did this years ago in the Army. I ran 3,000 to 4,000 troops at one time, as I was a drill sergeant.  So dealing with these kids is nothing for me,” Nuneviller said.

Nuneviller, who was a staff sergeant when he left the military, spent 30 years in the Army, two years in active duty and 28 years in the reserves. He spent 17 months stationed in Korea during the Korean War.

Nuneviller enjoys interacting with the kids.

“They’re pretty good kids, respectful, always saying thank you,” he said. “I try to respect them, too, but I have to holler at a couple here and there," recalling a few occassions when they were inattentive and started walking toward the street without looking for Nuneviller’s directions.

Sue Noble, whose youngest child, Liliana, is a third grader at FWES, thinks very highly of Nuneviller.

“We love him. He is steady, attentive and aware of the kids, parents and surroundings,” Noble said.

Noble summed up Nuneviller in a few words:  “He is safety.”

According to Kristin Lawton, whose youngest daughter, Sizzy, is a fourth-grader at Fort Washington Elementary School, “John is a kind, courteous, reliable and helpful ‘grandfather figure’ to the walkers, bikers, moms and dads” at the corner of Fort Washington Avenue and Thomas Drive.  

“Whether he is wearing his parka and boots, or his short-sleeved vest, he is there for the kids walking to and from FWES, in the rain or snow or shine,” Lawton said.

Lawton added, “He confidently controls the traffic and always has his eye out for the kids. From a quick hand motion or a friendly whistle, I never worry about the safety of my daughter when John is around. We are lucky to have him.”

Nuneviller spends between three and four hours a day at the corner, waiting for and crossing children. He spends much of his other time working for his church, the Living Word Lutheran Church, near his Roslyn home. He also enjoys his summers in Ocean City, and a week or so in Florida.

Nuneviller shares his travel and non-work time with his wife of 52 years, Joan.  (He shares some work time with her, too, as she also is an Upper Dublin crossing guard, crossing children who attend Jarrettown Elementary.) He also enjoys spending time with his five children and 11 grandchildren, all of whom live in the general area.

Nuneviller was a welder for 30 years, the last 13 with Standard Press Steel, before retiring in 2000.  Several years later, he decided to become an Upper Dublin crossing guard, and he has been at the job for about six years.  He started out at a post at Bell Lane and Limekiln Pike, and then moved to his current position, where he has been ever since.

When asked if there were anything he does not like about his crossing guard job, Nuneviller said, “I just wish they’d take down the 35-mile-per-hour sign.” 

The crossing guard added that, even though there are schools quite visible on the street, people often drive through as if it were not a school zone.