James Lawrence MacVeigh
A Connecticut native, born in 1940, James L. MacVeigh was the consummate teacher. He began his teaching career in the social studies department at Branford High School in 1969. Several months after his retirement in 2003, Jim died of heart failure leaving legions of bereft family members, friends and students.
Jim's meritorious service to his country, his state and Branford was impressive. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, was a member of the Branford Sports Hall of Fame; he was nominated twice as Branford Teacher of the Year on the state level and was a member of the Guilford Keeping Society. It was, however, the dedication of his students that defined Jim. They selected him as graduation speaker for two years and dedicated their yearbooks to him three different times.
Jim MacVeigh was an institution in the Branford High School community. Every day, between every class, he stood in the hall and addressed students by name. "Nice shot at the basketball game last night, Mike." "Great dive at the meet, Chelsea." "Going to the prom, Dave?" He was a mentor, advisor, listener and friend to parents, students and his fellow teachers. His friend and principal of BHS, Dr. Ed Higgins, best described the man we honor today when he said, "A student did not enroll in a history course, or a sociology course, or a psychology course at Branford High School; rather, one took MacVeigh.
UConn, Southern Connecticut State University and Trinity College gave Jim the credentials he needed to step into the classroom but it was Jim himself who radiated the life and love that kept his classroom alive and bright. Every day he focused on helping a wide variety of students to see themselves in new and positive ways. His weekly newspaper articles in the Branford Review highlighted as many students as possible, generating positive feelings among all the students named, as well as their families and friends.
For 34 years, Jim MacVeigh brought something special to the BHS community. He instinctively understood what kids wanted and needed to learn to be successful in school and in life. No matter the generation or the era...from the late 60's to today, Jim's natural radar told him that the questions the students had about life and living were the questions they needed to explore in the safety and comfort of his classroom. He provided guidance, confidence and support to every student who walked into his classroom. He enabled them to better understand themselves and the world around them. He inspired them to achieve what was expected of them during life's most challenging times. His heart filled with love touched thousands of students. His colleagues held him in the highest regard. Jim MacVeigh will long be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
Jim's meritorious service to his country, his state and Branford was impressive. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, was a member of the Branford Sports Hall of Fame; he was nominated twice as Branford Teacher of the Year on the state level and was a member of the Guilford Keeping Society. It was, however, the dedication of his students that defined Jim. They selected him as graduation speaker for two years and dedicated their yearbooks to him three different times.
Jim MacVeigh was an institution in the Branford High School community. Every day, between every class, he stood in the hall and addressed students by name. "Nice shot at the basketball game last night, Mike." "Great dive at the meet, Chelsea." "Going to the prom, Dave?" He was a mentor, advisor, listener and friend to parents, students and his fellow teachers. His friend and principal of BHS, Dr. Ed Higgins, best described the man we honor today when he said, "A student did not enroll in a history course, or a sociology course, or a psychology course at Branford High School; rather, one took MacVeigh.
UConn, Southern Connecticut State University and Trinity College gave Jim the credentials he needed to step into the classroom but it was Jim himself who radiated the life and love that kept his classroom alive and bright. Every day he focused on helping a wide variety of students to see themselves in new and positive ways. His weekly newspaper articles in the Branford Review highlighted as many students as possible, generating positive feelings among all the students named, as well as their families and friends.
For 34 years, Jim MacVeigh brought something special to the BHS community. He instinctively understood what kids wanted and needed to learn to be successful in school and in life. No matter the generation or the era...from the late 60's to today, Jim's natural radar told him that the questions the students had about life and living were the questions they needed to explore in the safety and comfort of his classroom. He provided guidance, confidence and support to every student who walked into his classroom. He enabled them to better understand themselves and the world around them. He inspired them to achieve what was expected of them during life's most challenging times. His heart filled with love touched thousands of students. His colleagues held him in the highest regard. Jim MacVeigh will long be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.