Thomas O. Bouley
Born in Rhode Island in 1921, Thomas 0. Bouley grew up in West Warwick, Rhode Island, where he was one of the top high-school graduates in 1938. He withdrew from the University of Rhode Island in 1941 to work in the production of Quonset huts to provide family income when his father became ill. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and subsequently flew thirty missions with the 8th Air Force based in Halesworth, England. A navigator on a B-24, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and seven air medals.
Upon returning to West Warwick after the war, he married Muriel Faulds and attended Bryant College for two years, receiving a degree in accounting, and then did accounting for an automobile firm. But teaching called him; and several years later, he decided to go back to college. With the support of his wife and with four young children at home, he commuted to the University of Rhode Island every day for two years, taking a full course schedule and working part time.
After graduating with teaching credentials and a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, Tom came to Branford in 1960 to teach business courses at the high school. Completely dedicated to his chosen career, Tom loved his work and delighted in the accomplishments of his students. His family remembers his unabashed enthusiasm for teaching and for Branford: his wife often said she knew no one else who loved his work as much as he did. For a few years, Tom acted as advisor to the school newspaper, The Hornet, but soon took on responsibility for data processing for the school, working under fellow Hall of Fame inductee Ernest Hatfield: At that time, Branford was at the forefront of the new field of modular scheduling, and Tom was in charge of scheduling for the building. The computer, located in Boston, filled a room and was linked to a smaller computer in Branford. When Branford High began using computerized report cards, Tom spent many hours explaining the system to teachers, poring over key-punch cards and untangling complicated situations. As computers changed, he learned the new technologies. Along the way, he earned a master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State College (1969), and he was president of the Connecticut Association for Data Processing in 1972-1973. Tom was well loved and respected not only by students but also by his colleagues. He was known for his intelligence, his gentle spirit, and his solid values. He appreciated others and was a team player full of dedication and quiet competence.
At Trinity Church, Tom served in numerous roles, including senior warden, treasurer, and superintendent of the Sunday school for thirteen years. He continues to be a strong card player and avid stamp collector and was a good bowler on teams with fellow Branford educators. He and his wife were active square dancers for many years. At school, in addition to teaching and data processing, he served on re-accreditation committees and was a chairperson of one of the committees during his last year at work. A tremendous sports fan, for many years Tom attended almost every football and basketball game at Branford High, along with many baseball games and track meets. He knew the players and delighted in their accomplishments. His family recalls being awakened one Thanksgiving morning with a mighty cheer ringing through the house: "Give me a B' Give me an R. Give me an A…!" Tom's enthusiasm for Branford sports was matched only by his love of the Red Sox.
In 1986, a few months before his planned retirement, Tom suffered a severe stroke that ended his career, but his spirit. Eighteen years later, Tom wears a brace and walks with a cane. He can’t always say everything he'd like to say: but he remains a vital thinker, an amazing card player, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. And he'll always be a teacher at heart.
Upon returning to West Warwick after the war, he married Muriel Faulds and attended Bryant College for two years, receiving a degree in accounting, and then did accounting for an automobile firm. But teaching called him; and several years later, he decided to go back to college. With the support of his wife and with four young children at home, he commuted to the University of Rhode Island every day for two years, taking a full course schedule and working part time.
After graduating with teaching credentials and a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration, Tom came to Branford in 1960 to teach business courses at the high school. Completely dedicated to his chosen career, Tom loved his work and delighted in the accomplishments of his students. His family remembers his unabashed enthusiasm for teaching and for Branford: his wife often said she knew no one else who loved his work as much as he did. For a few years, Tom acted as advisor to the school newspaper, The Hornet, but soon took on responsibility for data processing for the school, working under fellow Hall of Fame inductee Ernest Hatfield: At that time, Branford was at the forefront of the new field of modular scheduling, and Tom was in charge of scheduling for the building. The computer, located in Boston, filled a room and was linked to a smaller computer in Branford. When Branford High began using computerized report cards, Tom spent many hours explaining the system to teachers, poring over key-punch cards and untangling complicated situations. As computers changed, he learned the new technologies. Along the way, he earned a master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State College (1969), and he was president of the Connecticut Association for Data Processing in 1972-1973. Tom was well loved and respected not only by students but also by his colleagues. He was known for his intelligence, his gentle spirit, and his solid values. He appreciated others and was a team player full of dedication and quiet competence.
At Trinity Church, Tom served in numerous roles, including senior warden, treasurer, and superintendent of the Sunday school for thirteen years. He continues to be a strong card player and avid stamp collector and was a good bowler on teams with fellow Branford educators. He and his wife were active square dancers for many years. At school, in addition to teaching and data processing, he served on re-accreditation committees and was a chairperson of one of the committees during his last year at work. A tremendous sports fan, for many years Tom attended almost every football and basketball game at Branford High, along with many baseball games and track meets. He knew the players and delighted in their accomplishments. His family recalls being awakened one Thanksgiving morning with a mighty cheer ringing through the house: "Give me a B' Give me an R. Give me an A…!" Tom's enthusiasm for Branford sports was matched only by his love of the Red Sox.
In 1986, a few months before his planned retirement, Tom suffered a severe stroke that ended his career, but his spirit. Eighteen years later, Tom wears a brace and walks with a cane. He can’t always say everything he'd like to say: but he remains a vital thinker, an amazing card player, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. And he'll always be a teacher at heart.