George Macary Plaque Unveiled at Naugatuck High School

By Naugatuck Teachers League webmaster Nancy Sasso Janis

On May 6, the faculty at Naugatuck High School joined with some invited guests to remember and honor long-time Applied Education teacher George Macary.

Melissa Mcinvale, an Applied Education teacher at the high school, organized a way to memorialize the beloved teacher. With donations made by fellow faculty members, a large bronze plaque with a likeness of Macary was made that will be hung in the Applied Education wing of Naugatuck High School.

Macary was hired in Naugatuck in 1972 and retired shortly before his death in October of 2025. He also served for many years as the annual graduation director.

At a lovely reception held in the Media Center, the plaque was unveiled after some of Macary’s colleagues spoke about an educator who is sorely missed.

Naugatuck High School principal John Harris welcomed his staff member to what would normally have been a faculty meeting. It was not lost on those in attendance that they were gathered to honor Macary during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Harris remembered Macary as a teacher who always put students first. The principal often worked with Macary in his role as a long-time president of the Naugatuck Teachers League.

Mcinvale, who was hired in Naugatuck in 1995, spoke fondly of her dear friend, who she called a protector of the teaching profession. She thanked everyone who had donated to her idea of commissioning a plaque that would help to keep Macary’s memory alive.

She remembered that Macary gave his students real experiences and taught them to take real pride in their work. She echoed the fact that he based everything he did on what was best for students.

Mcinvale ended her remarks with some words that were spoken by a student named Anthony at Macary’s memorial service. “He made school feel like home,” Anthony said. He added that Mr. Macary taught his students that mistakes are lessons and not only did they build things, they also built memories.

Kelly Black, who technically was Macary’s boss, shared a small sample of the wooden plaques that he had given to her throughout the years. “It is what it is,” “Believe nothing is impossible,” “Life is about how you handle Plan B,” and “Kindness matters” were a few of the quips and inspiring messages on the small plaques. One that was particularly appropriate for Ms. Black, a self-professed show lover, was “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy shoes so it's kinda the same thing.”

The current president of the Naugatuck Teachers League, Cathy Lungarini, credits Macary with teaching so much about her current role. She will always remember Macary for the manner in which he treated people.

After the speakers had shared their memories of Macary, current members of the Applied Education department stepped forward to a garnet graduation gown placed in front of the library windows that overlook Rubber Avenue. Diane Doherty, the culinary teacher in the Applied Education department at NHS, unzipped the graduation gown to reveal the large plaque that will soon be hung at the beginning of the Applied Education wing of the high school.

In addition to the members of the high school faculty, several administrators, including Superintendent Melissa Cooney, NHS Associate Principal Eileen Mezzo and Dean of Students Brian Mariano, also attended the unveiling and the reception that followed. Michele Russell, who worked alongside Macary as graduation director before her retirement, and Macary's son Brett also attended.