Louise and Nelson Bernabucci
Branford residents for more than forty-five years, Louise and Nelson Bernabucci are the first husband and wife team to be inducted into Branford's Education Hall of Fame. After graduating from Commercial High School in New Haven, Nelson served nearly three years with the 113th Sea Bee Battalion in the U.S. Navy during World War II (including twenty-one months in the war zones of Dutch New Guinea and the Philippines). Returning to civilian life, he received an A.S. degree in business administration from Quinnipiac College and subsequent degrees from the University of Bridgeport in business administration (B.S.), secondary education (M.S.), and administration (sixth-year certificate). For twenty-two years, beginning in 1955, he taught ninth-grade business courses at Michael J. Whalen Jr. High School in Hamden. After graduating from New Haven State Teachers College, in 1953 Louise (nee Distasio) accepted a fourth-grade teaching position in Branford at Laurel Street School, a position she held for six years until 1959.
Concurrent with their work in their respective school systems, in 1956 the couple founded Branford Tutoring Service and later (1965) Branford Hall School of Business and Child Care Center. At the outset, the tutoring service offered one-on-one instruction in basic math, English, reading, and typing. In 1965, the tutoring service was expanded and became Branford Hall School of Business and relocated to the second floor of the Toole Building, above Jimmy's candy store. The next location was the second floor above the Branford Theater. In 1977, the year Nelson retired from Hamden to assume full-time administration of Branford Hall, it received national accreditation from the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools.
In the 1980s the Bernabuccis moved the school to their new building on Business Park Drive and were committed to adding in-house childcare as a key feature. They recognized the need that this service would fulfill for mature students returning to the workforce and needing childcare as well as additional training. As a consequence, Branford Hall was the only proprietary business school in the country with in-house childcare. The two continued to operate the school until it was sold in 1993. Their vision and commitment contributed to the successful careers of many Branford and shoreline residents. Now, in addition to its home campus in Branford, the school has branches in Windsor and Southington, Connecticut and in Chicopee, Massachusetts-extending their legacy far beyond the immediate area.
From 1949 to 1953, Nelson served as President of the Junior Marche League and as Second Vice-President of the Marchegian Society of New Haven. From 1949 to 1993, he served on the Branford High School Vocational Education Committee, Branford United Way, Branford Visiting Nurse Committee, and the Branford Chamber of Commerce. Presently he serves on the board of directors of Branford Counseling Center and is a member of the Branford Italian-American Club and Branford Rotary Club, which presented him with the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2001. Louise and Nelson are former members of the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club, where Branford Hall graduation exercises were held for twenty years. Louise still continues to share her classroom expertise by volunteering at Branford High School as a teacher of English as a Second Language. She is also a member of St. Therese Ladies Guild.
The couple has two children, Carol Ann Gangi and Joseph Nelson Bernabucci, and five grandchildren. In their retirement they enjoy traveling to Europe-especially to Italy.
Concurrent with their work in their respective school systems, in 1956 the couple founded Branford Tutoring Service and later (1965) Branford Hall School of Business and Child Care Center. At the outset, the tutoring service offered one-on-one instruction in basic math, English, reading, and typing. In 1965, the tutoring service was expanded and became Branford Hall School of Business and relocated to the second floor of the Toole Building, above Jimmy's candy store. The next location was the second floor above the Branford Theater. In 1977, the year Nelson retired from Hamden to assume full-time administration of Branford Hall, it received national accreditation from the Association of Independent Colleges and Schools.
In the 1980s the Bernabuccis moved the school to their new building on Business Park Drive and were committed to adding in-house childcare as a key feature. They recognized the need that this service would fulfill for mature students returning to the workforce and needing childcare as well as additional training. As a consequence, Branford Hall was the only proprietary business school in the country with in-house childcare. The two continued to operate the school until it was sold in 1993. Their vision and commitment contributed to the successful careers of many Branford and shoreline residents. Now, in addition to its home campus in Branford, the school has branches in Windsor and Southington, Connecticut and in Chicopee, Massachusetts-extending their legacy far beyond the immediate area.
From 1949 to 1953, Nelson served as President of the Junior Marche League and as Second Vice-President of the Marchegian Society of New Haven. From 1949 to 1993, he served on the Branford High School Vocational Education Committee, Branford United Way, Branford Visiting Nurse Committee, and the Branford Chamber of Commerce. Presently he serves on the board of directors of Branford Counseling Center and is a member of the Branford Italian-American Club and Branford Rotary Club, which presented him with the Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2001. Louise and Nelson are former members of the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club, where Branford Hall graduation exercises were held for twenty years. Louise still continues to share her classroom expertise by volunteering at Branford High School as a teacher of English as a Second Language. She is also a member of St. Therese Ladies Guild.
The couple has two children, Carol Ann Gangi and Joseph Nelson Bernabucci, and five grandchildren. In their retirement they enjoy traveling to Europe-especially to Italy.