Harker lost a member of its community last Saturday when history teacher, basketball coach and mentor extraordinaire John Near succumbed to a four-year battle with cancer. Below are the details for the planned memorial service. A full biography of John’s life will follow here soon.

A memorial will be held at Nichols Hall on the Saratoga campus of The Harker School on October 10 at 1:30 p.m. The Harker School is at 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, 95129. Please RSVP to johnnearmemorial@gmail.com so appropriate parking, seats and refreshments may be prepared. In keeping with John’s wishes and style, this event is casual. Please wear your sports jerseys, Harker T-shirts, etc.!

At John’s request, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to any one of these:

The John Near Excellence in History Education Endowment Fund

• Harker School Advancement Office; 3800 Blackford Ave; SJ 95117; checks to The Harker School, memo line “John Near Endowment Fund.”

Hospice of the Valley (http://www.hospicevalley.org/giving.html)

CaringBridge (www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnnear/)

Silicon Valley Wellness Center (http://svwellnessctr.com/)