Warren Adams
Warren Adams graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1950 and received a Master’s Degree from Wesleyan University in the 1960's. He attended Fairfield University in 1972 where he studied counseling/psychology. He taught social studies at Branford High for twenty-five years. Warren was a passionate, creative teacher who especially enjoyed teaching students who excelled and were eager to learn. His style was unconventional at times as he tried to engage his students. When he taught Chinese civilization, he learned Chinese cooking and when he taught comparative religions, he invited spokespersons from various faiths to supplement his teaching.
His dedication to his students was evident in his extracurricular involvement. He was a co-chaperone with Hazel Lorson Caster on two trips to England and Europe with Branford students. He coached the debate team and the swim team for many years. He also attended BHS basketball and football games regularly.
As a humanitarian, he had a strong belief in justice, fairness and equality, which was evident in his dedication to civic duty. He enlisted in the army during WWII so that he could serve as a medic, which he chose because he did not feel that he could kill another human being. He was firmly against capital punishment and fought for civil rights. He and his wife were active members of New Haven Christian Community Action and were active in the First Baptist Church in Branford where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and religious education director. He helped start the Branford Soup Kitchen and worked tirelessly to make it a success. He was always a strong advocate for minorities and people in need.
He was very generous with his time, talent and even blood, donating as often as was allowed. As a member of Shoreline Big Brothers/Big Sisters, for several years he spent every Saturday with his "little brother" Eddie. He worked with international students, had a foreign exchange student and sponsored refugees, helping them to adjust to a new language and culture. He opened his home to people of other cultures, making them feel accepted and comfortable and sharing his excitement for culture and history.
He decided to join a Masonic organization, initially to be close to his daughter who was a Rainbow Girl. The brotherhood and fellowship was so meaningful to him that he advanced to become the master of his lodge. He served with the Masons as a Shriner until just before he died.
After retirement, he became a state park volunteer in Florida and quickly became an advocate for preserving Florida's shorelines and vulnerable sea turtles. He was married for forty-eight years until his wife Ruth died in 1998. They had three children, Michael, Nancy and Judie. Warren often worked two jobs to make a good life for his children. On weekends and summers he drove taxi cabs and airport limousines. The death of his son Michael in 1990 was a huge blow to him. Warren died in December 2001, a great teacher whose example was his most lasting teaching legacy.
His dedication to his students was evident in his extracurricular involvement. He was a co-chaperone with Hazel Lorson Caster on two trips to England and Europe with Branford students. He coached the debate team and the swim team for many years. He also attended BHS basketball and football games regularly.
As a humanitarian, he had a strong belief in justice, fairness and equality, which was evident in his dedication to civic duty. He enlisted in the army during WWII so that he could serve as a medic, which he chose because he did not feel that he could kill another human being. He was firmly against capital punishment and fought for civil rights. He and his wife were active members of New Haven Christian Community Action and were active in the First Baptist Church in Branford where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and religious education director. He helped start the Branford Soup Kitchen and worked tirelessly to make it a success. He was always a strong advocate for minorities and people in need.
He was very generous with his time, talent and even blood, donating as often as was allowed. As a member of Shoreline Big Brothers/Big Sisters, for several years he spent every Saturday with his "little brother" Eddie. He worked with international students, had a foreign exchange student and sponsored refugees, helping them to adjust to a new language and culture. He opened his home to people of other cultures, making them feel accepted and comfortable and sharing his excitement for culture and history.
He decided to join a Masonic organization, initially to be close to his daughter who was a Rainbow Girl. The brotherhood and fellowship was so meaningful to him that he advanced to become the master of his lodge. He served with the Masons as a Shriner until just before he died.
After retirement, he became a state park volunteer in Florida and quickly became an advocate for preserving Florida's shorelines and vulnerable sea turtles. He was married for forty-eight years until his wife Ruth died in 1998. They had three children, Michael, Nancy and Judie. Warren often worked two jobs to make a good life for his children. On weekends and summers he drove taxi cabs and airport limousines. The death of his son Michael in 1990 was a huge blow to him. Warren died in December 2001, a great teacher whose example was his most lasting teaching legacy.