Man of Honor: Charles E. Boynton

Chances are if you were involved in school sports in East Haddam in the last 30 years or so, you know Mr. Charles E. Boynton. Recently, the East Haddam Board of Education dedicated the Nathan Hale-Ray High School Athletic Complex in honor of Boynton, naming it the Charles E. Boynton Athletic Complex.

"No one has influenced athletics at Hale-Ray as much as this person," said former First Selectman Brad Parker at a BOE meeting back in February. Parker broached the subject with the BOE at that meeting to honor Boynton's service to the community in some way. 

"He (Boynton) supported girls athletics before it was mandated; girls sports were greatly promoted because of him. A great number of people in our community were affected by his leadership and Hale-Ray Althletics is where it is today because of him," Parker explained.

Everett Herden, BOE member, wholeheartedly agreed with the proposal to honor Boynton and suggested the board look into policy on how do so. 

Nancy Haslam, BOE Chairperson, replied "he's an icon in this community and I can't believe his service has not been recognized yet."

Documents of Boyton's exempemplary service were then reviewed at the March BOE meeting and a motion was made by board members Everett Herden and MaryBeth Mordecai to "accept the recommendation of the Long Range Planning Subcommittee to honor Charles E. Boynton for his outstanding work both inside and outside the classroom at the High School." 

The motion unanimously passed by members in attendance. As a result, an award ceremony recently took place just prior to the June BOE meeting.

"I think (the honor) has been a long time in coming," said Parker, "it didn't matter if you were the best or worst, Charlie treated everyone the same and everyone looked to him as a friend."

Parker continued, "No one has done more for the athletic program (in East Haddam) than Charlie; this is well-deserved."

Superintendent Dr. Ellen Sollek said "for many years, Mr. Boynton gave his time and his talents unconditionally to the students of East Haddam. As an educator, he truly lived a life of service to the profession and to his community."

When asked how he felt about the honor, Boynton simply shook his head and replied "There are no words; I'm really at a loss for words."