Thomas McNutt, former theater director of the now-defunct Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, died Saturday, September 24 of a heart attack at his home. He was 87 years old.

McNutt’s teaching career began in 1960 when he accepted a position at the recently founded McDevitt. The Philly native served in the Air National Guard, and originally set out to be a priest, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood.

Acting had been a passion of his before and during his days at McDevitt. No stranger to the stage, McNutt’s acting CV included shows, film gigs, and television, including a Monday Night Football spot with John Madden and regular appearances with his wife on Law and Order: Cold Case. He also served as president of the Philadelphia SAG-AFTRA chapter from 2015-2017.

McNutt was honored as a “Legend of Bishop McDevitt” by an alumni group earlier this year.

“Tom represented Bishop McDevitt better than anyone who ever worked there,” long-time friend and colleague Bill Hanley told the Inquirer. “His fellow teachers loved him. When he entered the building, it was the same as the sun breaking through on a cloudy day.”

“He gave everybody a chance, everybody; it didn’t matter who you were,” the Inquirer tweeted.

For extensive coverage on McNutt’s life and career, you can visit the Philadelphia Inquirer’s article here.