A Tribute For HK's First Superintendent: Roland P. Jolie

Former Regional School District 17 Superintendent Roland P. Jolie died this past Monday at the Smilow Cancer Center of Yale New Haven Hospital. He was 82 years old. In 1973, Roland was named Region 17’s first superintendent; previously, he had been superintendent with the Portland school system. A United States Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, Jolie had lived in Haddam on Old Ponsett Road for many years with his wife, Justine ("Dusty"), and their three children, Ellen, Jeff, and Tom—all of whom survive him. Following his retirement in 1984, Mr. and Mrs. Jolie moved to Florida to enjoy their retirement. Florida also afforded Roland an opportunity to golf year round. He was an excellent golfer and a very talented wood carver.

Region 17 has had an excellent reputation for many years, and Mr. Jolie oversaw the region’s formative years and the construction of its showcase high school, which remains one of the best secondary facilities in the state. Roland and his administrative team hired many people who played critically important roles in shaping the future of the district, and they were quick to compliment Mr. Jolie upon learning of his death.

Haddam resident Paul Kelly, a 43-year veteran of the system and former runner-up for state teacher of the year, echoed the most common sentiment expressed by many when he said that he was "well liked and respected by all." He remembered that Jolie "was very humble and listened intently to all viewpoints and rendered fair decisions." Kelly also coached one of Jolie’s sons in pee-wee hockey and found him "a very supportive and involved parent."

Retired English teacher and drama advisor, Maggie Jennings, another teacher hired by Jolie in the mid-70’s, was very sorry to hear of his passing. She had "great respect" for the former superintendent and characterized his leadership style as one that emphasized "hiring the right people" and then "not standing in their way." "He trusted people he believed in and always supported them," said Mrs. Jennings.

Patsy Kamercia, a 40-year HK veteran teacher and coach who just retired, was very sad to learn of Mr. Jolie’s death. She felt deep respect and loyalty for Mr. Jolie, who appointed her athletic director at HK in the mid-1970’s. It was a controversial decision back then to have a female athletic director, as there were very few women AD’s in the state. Jolie took "some local heat" for the decision but remained steadfast and loyal to Coach Kamercia in the face of criticism, and she will never forget him for that. Like many, she had "enormous respect" for Mr. Jolie.

Long-time HK teacher and former HKEA President, Nancy Walts, had this glowing tribute for Mr. Jolie:

Roland Jolie was a fine gentleman. He was kind, thoughtful, and truly a professional educator. When he first arrived in the District, his office was a tiny room situated behind the library, a conference room, and the music room at Burr Elementary School. I had just earned my Master's degree in Special Education. As a fourth grade teacher at Burr, I sat down with Mr. Jolie and told him I was interested in becoming a special ed. resource teacher. We had no special ed. program at the time. I told him I really didn't know where to begin.　 Mr. Jolie said, "Let's do it, Nancy. I don't know where to start either, but we'll figure it out together." He never backed out on his word. From that point on, the special ed. program in the District continued to grow. I will never forget Roland Jolie and all his many words of encouragement.

Current HK High School Principal Charlie Macunas was hired by Roland Jolie in 1980 after he had moved here from Pennsylvania. He had this to say about Mr. Jolie:

From the moment I met him it was obvious to me he was a just, fair, and honorable man. Prior to coming to Connecticut, nine of my ten previous years of teaching had been in a parochial school in Pennsylvania. I distinctly remember Roland saying to me when I first him, that "teaching is teaching, whether it occurs in a public or parochial school." He acknowledged all of my years of service upon my hire. That made such a powerful impact on me. I, like so many others who were hired a few years before me when the high school opened, have a tremendous amount of respect for Roland’s interpersonal skills and professionalism. I truly believe he has had a profound impact on so many of us.

Jolie’s former secretary, Ann Lang, of Killingworth characterized him as "a wonderful guy" and the "ultimate gentleman." Both Ann and long-time Central Office worker, Julie Goff, said that Mr. Jolie regarded his employees as "part of a team" and that there was never any sense of class distinction or hierarchy. "He treated everyone with respect," said Mrs. Goff. This inspired a mutual sense of loyalty with his workers.

This writer taught in the district for 30 years before retiring in 2006. George Fitch, the high school’s first principal, and Roland Jolie, the district’s first superintendent, hired me in the 1975-76 school year. It was an exciting time. This big, beautiful school was just starting out and a corps of young, enthusiastic teachers and coaches had been hired to chart its course and to set new traditions. I remember talking to Roland about hockey, as he noticed from my transcript that I had played hockey at UConn. He told me that the current bus garage had originally been designated to be a hockey rink for the high school! He loved hockey too and lamented that lost opportunity. Can you just imagine the HK campus with its own hockey arena to go along with a swimming pool, an indoor tack, and a TV production studio? Talk about paradise!

My most cherished memory of Roland, however, revolves around the time that I was inappropriately contacted at home one Sunday evening in 1979 by a Board of Ed member who tried to arrange a meeting between me and another Board member who wanted to pressure me to criticize the high school principal who had hired me. I angrily refused and hung up. I reported the incident to Roland in his office the very next day. He explained to me that sometimes we have to deal with Board members who are intrusive and don’t know their function. He looked me in the eye and told me not to worry about anything as he would go to the wall to protect me from repercussions. I will never forget his unwavering loyalty. This former Marine embodied the motto of the Corps: "Semper fidelis." Roland Jolie gave loyalty and inspired it in others. He wouldn't sell you out for expediency.

The wake for Mr. Jolie will be held Friday, August 5 at Biega’s Funeral Home on 3 Silver St. in Middletown from 6-8 p.m. His funeral mass will be held in Wethersfield on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in the Corpus Christi Church at 601 Silas Deane Highway. Expressions of condolences for this fine man can be made online at the Biega website.

Click on the link below:  http://www.biegafuneralhome.com/fh/home/home.cfm?fh_id=12370