John Coleman Carr
Heritage Award
In 1925 the Carr family settled in Branford. John Carr taught at Branford High School for well over twenty years and served as the first principal of the "new" Branford High School on Eades Street, which is now John B. Sliney Elementary School. He taught many subjects, but his true love was Latin. The class of 1938 dedicated their yearbook, The Milestone, to Mr. Carr. He was remembered in that yearbook as someone who could always be counted on by his students.
John C. Carr was born in March of 1890 in Frankfort, Maine. He fondly remembered spending his childhood playing along the banks of the Penobscot River. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1912. His college roommate and lifelong friend was Paul Douglas who later served as a United States Senator from Illinois.
John's first teaching job was in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, at the Academy for Boys on the Green. In 1913 he married Ruth Parker Green and delighted in introducing his wife as "Ruth Parker Green Carr". His easy sense of humor and love of storytelling endeared him to all who crossed his path. John and Ruth moved to Meriden, Connecticut, a few years later and had three daughters, Mary, Dorothy and Barbara.
In honor of Branford's tercentenary John compiled a book entitled Early History of Branford based on information furnished by the Historical Research Committee, which was reprinted on the occasion of Branford's 350th anniversary.
John was involved with the Original Parish Players at the Puppet House in Stony Creek during the 1930's. John and Ruth Carr worked many odd summer jobs as was (and is) the custom for teachers. They ran a little store across from Branford Point for many seasons. He particularly enjoyed his summers working the entrance gate at Hammonasset. One of his favorite stories was about the family from New York who pulled up to the gate and asked. "What time do you turn on the waves?"
In 1948 the Carr's moved to Guilford where John taught for a few years before retiring. John died in early 1963, having greatly enjoyed his later years by spending time with his grandchildren, spending days at the beach and evenings reading by the fireplace.
John C. Carr was born in March of 1890 in Frankfort, Maine. He fondly remembered spending his childhood playing along the banks of the Penobscot River. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1912. His college roommate and lifelong friend was Paul Douglas who later served as a United States Senator from Illinois.
John's first teaching job was in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, at the Academy for Boys on the Green. In 1913 he married Ruth Parker Green and delighted in introducing his wife as "Ruth Parker Green Carr". His easy sense of humor and love of storytelling endeared him to all who crossed his path. John and Ruth moved to Meriden, Connecticut, a few years later and had three daughters, Mary, Dorothy and Barbara.
In honor of Branford's tercentenary John compiled a book entitled Early History of Branford based on information furnished by the Historical Research Committee, which was reprinted on the occasion of Branford's 350th anniversary.
John was involved with the Original Parish Players at the Puppet House in Stony Creek during the 1930's. John and Ruth Carr worked many odd summer jobs as was (and is) the custom for teachers. They ran a little store across from Branford Point for many seasons. He particularly enjoyed his summers working the entrance gate at Hammonasset. One of his favorite stories was about the family from New York who pulled up to the gate and asked. "What time do you turn on the waves?"
In 1948 the Carr's moved to Guilford where John taught for a few years before retiring. John died in early 1963, having greatly enjoyed his later years by spending time with his grandchildren, spending days at the beach and evenings reading by the fireplace.