Colleagues, Family, Students Remember Enfield Teacher Scott Bacon

ENFIELD, CT — Scott Bacon, a unique free spirit who shared his love for music with hundreds of students and colleagues during a 26-year teaching career in Enfield, died Thursday following a lengthy illness. He was 67.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Bacon embarked on a teaching career at John F. Kennedy Middle School in 1983. He taught English and reading through 1990, then transferred to Prudence Crandall Elementary School, where he taught fourth and sixth grade until retiring in 2009.

Bacon was a music aficionado, in particular the songs of James Taylor, Tom Petty, the Eagles and Eric Clapton. He incorporated music as a part of his daily teaching routine.

In his obituary, his daughter Morgana wrote, "His classroom was full of humor and music, as he would insist upon playing his acoustic guitar while teaching the multiplication tables. He would show off his singing voice by creating a song about coordinating conjunctions."

She told Patch, "A lot of my friends had him as a teacher and I’m always impressed by how much they remember his class. Says a lot about how he was as an educator."

Former student Bridget Sullivan wrote on Facebook, "I can probably count on one hand the number of teachers I have had that truly impacted me. I had Mr. Bacon in seventh grade for reading. I struggled hardcore in the reading department. Hated to read and always required additional help. I was in transitioned from private school, where I received one-on-one additional help, to public school where I slipped through the cracks. Mr. Bacon was one of a few teachers I had that didn’t make me feel stupid. He made learning fun for me and my fellow classmates. Having a mother for a teacher isn’t easy but as I recall he was probably the only reading teacher I had in the public school system that was on the same page with her. The one statement I have never forgotten from him: 'Bridget, I am going to challenge you. Make you work hard and earn your grade. But most of all, you are going to have fun.'"

"Mr. Bacon was by far one of my favorite teachers," former student Timothy Schoenborn wrote. "I was lucky enough to have him in fourth and again in sixth grade. I have nothing but great memories from his classroom. He will forever have a place in my heart. He will be missed by so many. He was a great man and is gone far too soon. Thoughts and prayers with his family. Know he left a little piece of himself with every one of us."

Janet Edmondson, former band director at the middle school, worked closely with Bacon on numerous stage performances.

"Scott Bacon was one of the most enthusiastic and generous teachers with whom I ever had the pleasure of working," she told Patch. "During my first four years of teaching, we co-directed musical theater productions at JFK, and were so like-minded that we often finished each other's sentences. I had all of the "content" skills and knowledge, but Scott had the "context" skills - knowing the kids, how to facilitate their learning, boost their confidence and set them up for personal and artistic success. Every rehearsal and performance was sheer joy. Some of my favorite memories, however, were the impromptu "concerts" we'd give either before practice in the auditorium, or before school in my band room. I'd sit at the piano, he'd grab a guitar, Dave Emery would often join us, and we'd just launch into tunes by the Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, or Scott's favorite, James Taylor. We had a crowd of kids around, and I'm sure were the cause of many late arrivals to homeroom. Scott kinda "owned" "You've Got a Friend" and that's how I'll remember him best - a dear friend with a smile on his face and a song in his heart."

"So sad for all," former teaching partner Marilynn Cressotti said. "A great man, father, husband, educator and friend. Loved being his teaching partner. Good memories and good times."

Retired JFK teacher Eileen Michaels said, "He had such a contagious smile and musical talent. Everyone loved to listen to him play his guitar and sing. He could definitely light up a dark room. Was a pleasure to know and work with him."

"Scott was a dedicated teacher that taught all of his students with compassion and high expectations," former Prudence Crandall principal Bonnie Mazzoli wrote. "He was a Prudence Crandall colleague that truly cared about his students and teachers. Scott made a positive difference in so many lives."

An Ohio native, Bacon was president of the Southern New England Browns Backers, a group of local supporters of the National Football League's Cleveland Browns, from 1999 through 2017.

Browns Backers member Steve Weiner wrote, "Scott was a lifelong educator beloved by his students. More than once, his students would excitedly wave and show their love for their teacher as we would travel together to and from Browns games. He was really the most honest person I ever met. Lies were just not part of his life. He hit the lottery of love with his beautiful wife Mary. Truly they had a love for the ages, and life in this world with Mary in the garden of Eden was not a condition that Scott would put up with for long. A great dad to his girls, he earned the accolades of fatherhood. I have never been blessed with a closer or truer friend and his memory will be my blessing forever."

Morgana Bacon wrote of her dad, "He was unapologetically obstinate, even when it came to the beard he refused to shave for over 30 years."

Her sister, Ashley Martins, shared a great deal of memories with Patch.

"He loved to travel when he was healthy enough, and collected shot glasses from everywhere he went. He took my sister and I on some incredible vacations all around the world. He also loved the Detroit Tigers and his favorite thing to do was listen to ball games. He always bought us the most meaningful Christmas presents. He made us cry every year.

"He also made us all go on these ridiculous canoeing trips. Would pack my sister, mom, dog and I in the canoe. One time my sister left her beloved “Dakin” stuffed bear on an island in the middle of the Delaware River and had to swim back upstream to save him. His day was also ruined if his morning routine was interrupted in any way. I get that from him!"

Bacon was married for 33 years to Mary (McLaughlin) Bacon, who predeceased him in 2019. In addition to his two daughters, he is survived by grandsons Wesley Scott and Cameron Nathan.

His family will receive friends Monday, Dec. 7, from 4-6 p.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd. Enfield. A graveside service will take place with immediate family Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. at Longmeadow Cemetery.

His complete obituary from Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels may be viewed here.

Left to right: a rare photo of Scott Bacon sans beard, from his first year of teaching at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 1983 (photo courtesy of Enfield Historical Society); a golf vacation in Myrtle Beach, S.C., 1990 (Tim Jensen photo); giving away his daughter Ashley at her wedding, 2015 (Jude Connick-Gutierrez photo); with his first grandson, Wesley Scott (Ashley Martins photo).

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