Joseph D. Chandler
A life-long resident of Branford, Joseph D. Chandler, closed his President' Message in the 1949 Milestone with these words: "Whatever is in store for us, we will, with the help of God, strive to bo our part to promote a happier and more peaceful universe." Without doubt, Joe has done his part toward achieving that end.
After graduation from Branford High School, where he played football and basketball and was co-captain of the baseball team, Joe spent a year at Collegiate Preparatory School before going on to Springfield College, where he played football and lacrosse, and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree. During college, Joe worked with the Branford Recreation Department as a playground supervisor, a lifeguard, ati1d a beach supervisor; and after college he served in the U.S. Army as a specialist third class (1954-56), continuing to pursue athletics playing basketball and football.
Returning to civilian life in 1956, Joe became a physical education instructor in the New Britain elementary school and spent his summers as a counselor and swimming instructor at the Dixwell Community House Camp Holly Ridge. The year 1961 was an important one for Joe. Not only did he receive a Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University, but he also made a move to the Cheshire Public Schools, where he was to spend the rest of his professional career. Beginning as a junior high school physical education instructor, in 1964 Joe was moved to the high school and taught math and tenth grade biology and science courses for two years while also teaching physical education. In 1971 Joe moved into administration when he was named supervisor of physical education for the entire Cheshire school system (Grades K 12), a position he held for twenty years until his retirement in 1991. During his career in Cheshire Joe also served as interim vice-principal of the junior high school. Having begun his coaching career as assistant basketball coach at Branford High School in 1958, Joe continued coaching after entering the Cheshire school system. While serving as head basketball coach at Cheshire high School for twenty years (1961-81), Joe was also head baseball coach (1961 to 1964) and assistant football coach (1964 to 1973). As if his regular duties didn't keep him busy enough, Joe served as president of the Connecticut Association of Administrators for Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the state curriculum and competency testing committee, and the national committee for sports and physical education. Besides designing and implementing a K-12 special physical education program in Cheshire, he conducted a state-wide conference on "Physical Education in the ‘90’s" for K-12 physical education teachers.
Although his professional career took him out of town, Joe's roots are in Branford, where he and his wife. Phoebe, have reared their two children, Joseph and Elizabeth. For eighteen years he served on the Branford Board of Education, chairing that body for two of those years.
He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Assessors and on the Board of Directors of the Branford VNA. A member of St. Stephen's African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Joe serves as secretary on the Board of Trustees and was formerly Christian Education Director and president of the scholarship fund.
Even back in his high school days, when his yearbook caption called him "one of the best liked fellows in the class," Joe Chandler has been an educational model, personally as well as professionally. Before anyone even knew the word and more than all the speakers and workshops put together, with his quiet assurance and constant commitment he has taught Branford what diversity truly means.
After graduation from Branford High School, where he played football and basketball and was co-captain of the baseball team, Joe spent a year at Collegiate Preparatory School before going on to Springfield College, where he played football and lacrosse, and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree. During college, Joe worked with the Branford Recreation Department as a playground supervisor, a lifeguard, ati1d a beach supervisor; and after college he served in the U.S. Army as a specialist third class (1954-56), continuing to pursue athletics playing basketball and football.
Returning to civilian life in 1956, Joe became a physical education instructor in the New Britain elementary school and spent his summers as a counselor and swimming instructor at the Dixwell Community House Camp Holly Ridge. The year 1961 was an important one for Joe. Not only did he receive a Master of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University, but he also made a move to the Cheshire Public Schools, where he was to spend the rest of his professional career. Beginning as a junior high school physical education instructor, in 1964 Joe was moved to the high school and taught math and tenth grade biology and science courses for two years while also teaching physical education. In 1971 Joe moved into administration when he was named supervisor of physical education for the entire Cheshire school system (Grades K 12), a position he held for twenty years until his retirement in 1991. During his career in Cheshire Joe also served as interim vice-principal of the junior high school. Having begun his coaching career as assistant basketball coach at Branford High School in 1958, Joe continued coaching after entering the Cheshire school system. While serving as head basketball coach at Cheshire high School for twenty years (1961-81), Joe was also head baseball coach (1961 to 1964) and assistant football coach (1964 to 1973). As if his regular duties didn't keep him busy enough, Joe served as president of the Connecticut Association of Administrators for Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the state curriculum and competency testing committee, and the national committee for sports and physical education. Besides designing and implementing a K-12 special physical education program in Cheshire, he conducted a state-wide conference on "Physical Education in the ‘90’s" for K-12 physical education teachers.
Although his professional career took him out of town, Joe's roots are in Branford, where he and his wife. Phoebe, have reared their two children, Joseph and Elizabeth. For eighteen years he served on the Branford Board of Education, chairing that body for two of those years.
He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Assessors and on the Board of Directors of the Branford VNA. A member of St. Stephen's African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Joe serves as secretary on the Board of Trustees and was formerly Christian Education Director and president of the scholarship fund.
Even back in his high school days, when his yearbook caption called him "one of the best liked fellows in the class," Joe Chandler has been an educational model, personally as well as professionally. Before anyone even knew the word and more than all the speakers and workshops put together, with his quiet assurance and constant commitment he has taught Branford what diversity truly means.