Edward J. O'Donnell, Jr.
Edward J. O'Donnell, Jr. was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, where he attended the public schools through grade five. He then attended St. Louis Parochial School until he graduated from eighth grade.
Ed completed four years of high school at Fair field Prep before enrolling at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut. After completing two years at St. Thomas Seminary, he transferred to Southern Connecticut State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in elementary education. Continuing his education at Fairfield University, Ed earned both a Master's Degree and Sixth Year Certificate in public school administration.
Ed's first teaching position was in the sixth grade in the North Haven schools in 1957. After one year, he transferred to the North Haven Junior High School where he taught English, math and science. In addition, Ed served as chairman of the English Department at the Junior High between 1960 and 1962. In 1962, Ed became assistant principal of the North Haven Junior High School and three years later was named principal of Center School in North Haven.
In 1966, Ed 0'Donnell was named assistant superintendent of schools in Branford, a position he held for fourteen years. During this time, Ed was a major driving force behind the development of the Branford Intermediate School, working closely with teachers and the school building committee in applying the innovative concepts of flexible learning space and team teaching to this new school. Soon after the doors opened at the Branford Intermediate School, (now called "The Walsh Intermediate School")> Branford was becoming recognized as a school system that was on the cutting edge of educational innovation. Ed authored "Flexible Learning Space" for the Educational Leadership Institute, a leading organization for education innovation. Regionally, Ed O'Donnell's leadership was recognized as a major factor in the stellar reputation that Branford was developing, not only because of the Intermediate School but also for his leadership in working with Branford High School Principal, Ernest Hatfield, in developing a flexible schedule that featured "mini courses".
In 1980, Ed was appointed Superintendent of Schools. In this position, Ed continued to build upon his reputation as a fair and creative administrator who truly understood both the roles of the classroom teacher and the Board of Education in the totality of providing quality education for Branford's children. He guided the Branford schools on a steady course through times of stress and times of calm with skill, great wisdom and a sense of humor that helped to bring people together. His effective leadership style reflected the inner core of Ed's character-honest, decisive and dedicated.
After his retirement as Superintendent of Schools, Ed joined the staff of the Guenster Rehabilitation Center, Inc. as an intake coordinator. During that time he also trained to become a family interventionist, continuing his practice privately after leaving Guenster.
Throughout his life, Ed O'Donnell continued to share his gift of providing sound, compassionate counseling for others. In retirement, Eel continued to enjoy his favorite avocation of woodworking, producing for each family member treasured items he made especially for them. Ed and his wife Carol moved to East Haven after all of their children married. They enjoyed their years with their grandchildren and traveling together.
Ed is survived by Carol, three daughters, Maureen Spillane, husband Todd and children Caroline and Sarah; Kathleen Walker, husband Jim and their children Caitlin and Patrick; Ellen O'Brien, husband Kevin and their children Kayla, Connor and Edward and son Edward and his wife Joanne.
Ed completed four years of high school at Fair field Prep before enrolling at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut. After completing two years at St. Thomas Seminary, he transferred to Southern Connecticut State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in elementary education. Continuing his education at Fairfield University, Ed earned both a Master's Degree and Sixth Year Certificate in public school administration.
Ed's first teaching position was in the sixth grade in the North Haven schools in 1957. After one year, he transferred to the North Haven Junior High School where he taught English, math and science. In addition, Ed served as chairman of the English Department at the Junior High between 1960 and 1962. In 1962, Ed became assistant principal of the North Haven Junior High School and three years later was named principal of Center School in North Haven.
In 1966, Ed 0'Donnell was named assistant superintendent of schools in Branford, a position he held for fourteen years. During this time, Ed was a major driving force behind the development of the Branford Intermediate School, working closely with teachers and the school building committee in applying the innovative concepts of flexible learning space and team teaching to this new school. Soon after the doors opened at the Branford Intermediate School, (now called "The Walsh Intermediate School")> Branford was becoming recognized as a school system that was on the cutting edge of educational innovation. Ed authored "Flexible Learning Space" for the Educational Leadership Institute, a leading organization for education innovation. Regionally, Ed O'Donnell's leadership was recognized as a major factor in the stellar reputation that Branford was developing, not only because of the Intermediate School but also for his leadership in working with Branford High School Principal, Ernest Hatfield, in developing a flexible schedule that featured "mini courses".
In 1980, Ed was appointed Superintendent of Schools. In this position, Ed continued to build upon his reputation as a fair and creative administrator who truly understood both the roles of the classroom teacher and the Board of Education in the totality of providing quality education for Branford's children. He guided the Branford schools on a steady course through times of stress and times of calm with skill, great wisdom and a sense of humor that helped to bring people together. His effective leadership style reflected the inner core of Ed's character-honest, decisive and dedicated.
After his retirement as Superintendent of Schools, Ed joined the staff of the Guenster Rehabilitation Center, Inc. as an intake coordinator. During that time he also trained to become a family interventionist, continuing his practice privately after leaving Guenster.
Throughout his life, Ed O'Donnell continued to share his gift of providing sound, compassionate counseling for others. In retirement, Eel continued to enjoy his favorite avocation of woodworking, producing for each family member treasured items he made especially for them. Ed and his wife Carol moved to East Haven after all of their children married. They enjoyed their years with their grandchildren and traveling together.
Ed is survived by Carol, three daughters, Maureen Spillane, husband Todd and children Caroline and Sarah; Kathleen Walker, husband Jim and their children Caitlin and Patrick; Ellen O'Brien, husband Kevin and their children Kayla, Connor and Edward and son Edward and his wife Joanne.