Edward F. Hippolitus
Edward F. Hippolitus was born in New Haven, Connecticut, graduating from Hamden High School in 1943. While there he was first trombonist and featured soloist in what was recognized as the "top high school band in New England".
Ed proudly served his country with the Army field artillery in the European and Middle East Theaters in World War II from 1944-1946, in the Army Reserve from 1946-1949 and as a trombonist in the Connecticut Army National Guard from 1949-1952.
Ed attended the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music in 1948. He then attended New Haven State Teachers College majoring in Special Education and graduated with a BS degree in 1953. He began his career in public education as an elementary special education teacher at Webster School in New Haven that same year.
Ed furthered his education at Southern Connecticut State College (SCSC) receiving a MS degree with a major in Special Education in 1969. In 1972-1973 he attended SCSC and Central Connecticut State University and Northeastern University in 1977-1978 completing a 6th Year in Vocational Education Administration.
While working in the Branford Public Schools from 1956 until retiring in 1992, he was affectionately known as "Mr. Hipp" to his students and "Eddy Hipp" to his colleagues. He began as an 8th grade remedial teacher and later a special education teacher at Branford Junior High School. From 1962-1971 he taught special education at Branford High school. From 1971-1989, he served as the teacher-coordinator for the Cooperative Work Education/Diversified Occupations Program, the career education program and the vocational education program. From 1989-1992 Ed was the Vocational Education Coordinator for Branford High School.
Edward Hippolitus' passion was helping students most in need, including those in danger of dropping out, "mainstreamed" special education students who wanted and needed jobs and those who were not continuing formal education after high school. Mr. Hipp was always there for the disadvantaged student.
Ed was an audio-visual coordinator and a member of the curriculum and independent student committee at BHS. Guess who was the trombone player with the BHS stage band during student-teacher talent shows? He received an honorary diploma from the BHS class of 1992. Ed's passion for music was always a part of his life. He enjoyed many years as a professional trombonist with area bands and orchestras, most notably, the Arnold Most and Pat Dorn Orchestras. He also enjoyed golf and gardening throughout his life. Ed served as President of the Branford Education Association from 1964-1968; Vice President of the Branford Chamber of Commerce from 1974-1977, as a member of the Branford Lions Club and the American Legion CT Post 83.
Ed passed away in 2009 at age 80, shortly after his wife Eva. They were married for 56 years and had two daughters; Sandra Diette and her husband Ray of Guilford and Donna Ouellet and her husband Steve of North Branford. Ed has three grandchildren; Courtney Anne Ouellet, Collin Edward Ouellet and Sophia Noelle Ouellet. Ed's family is grateful for the outpouring of kind words and expressions of gratitude received from Ed's past students, colleagues and friends at BHS since his passing and is truly honored by his induction into Branford's Education Hall of Fame.
Ed proudly served his country with the Army field artillery in the European and Middle East Theaters in World War II from 1944-1946, in the Army Reserve from 1946-1949 and as a trombonist in the Connecticut Army National Guard from 1949-1952.
Ed attended the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music in 1948. He then attended New Haven State Teachers College majoring in Special Education and graduated with a BS degree in 1953. He began his career in public education as an elementary special education teacher at Webster School in New Haven that same year.
Ed furthered his education at Southern Connecticut State College (SCSC) receiving a MS degree with a major in Special Education in 1969. In 1972-1973 he attended SCSC and Central Connecticut State University and Northeastern University in 1977-1978 completing a 6th Year in Vocational Education Administration.
While working in the Branford Public Schools from 1956 until retiring in 1992, he was affectionately known as "Mr. Hipp" to his students and "Eddy Hipp" to his colleagues. He began as an 8th grade remedial teacher and later a special education teacher at Branford Junior High School. From 1962-1971 he taught special education at Branford High school. From 1971-1989, he served as the teacher-coordinator for the Cooperative Work Education/Diversified Occupations Program, the career education program and the vocational education program. From 1989-1992 Ed was the Vocational Education Coordinator for Branford High School.
Edward Hippolitus' passion was helping students most in need, including those in danger of dropping out, "mainstreamed" special education students who wanted and needed jobs and those who were not continuing formal education after high school. Mr. Hipp was always there for the disadvantaged student.
Ed was an audio-visual coordinator and a member of the curriculum and independent student committee at BHS. Guess who was the trombone player with the BHS stage band during student-teacher talent shows? He received an honorary diploma from the BHS class of 1992. Ed's passion for music was always a part of his life. He enjoyed many years as a professional trombonist with area bands and orchestras, most notably, the Arnold Most and Pat Dorn Orchestras. He also enjoyed golf and gardening throughout his life. Ed served as President of the Branford Education Association from 1964-1968; Vice President of the Branford Chamber of Commerce from 1974-1977, as a member of the Branford Lions Club and the American Legion CT Post 83.
Ed passed away in 2009 at age 80, shortly after his wife Eva. They were married for 56 years and had two daughters; Sandra Diette and her husband Ray of Guilford and Donna Ouellet and her husband Steve of North Branford. Ed has three grandchildren; Courtney Anne Ouellet, Collin Edward Ouellet and Sophia Noelle Ouellet. Ed's family is grateful for the outpouring of kind words and expressions of gratitude received from Ed's past students, colleagues and friends at BHS since his passing and is truly honored by his induction into Branford's Education Hall of Fame.