The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Principal’s funeral services expected to draw crowds
Fidler died unexpectedly on vacation over weekend
EAST HAMPTON » Police are warning motorists to expect delays Saturday morning as residents gather to bid farewell to high school Principal John H. Fidler, 60, who died Sunday while hiking with his family in Maine.
His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, at 47 West High St., at the intersection of Route 66 and Maple Street.
Fidler was an educator in East Hampton for 27 years, but for many present and former students and their families, and teachers and staff, he was much more.
He was “the heart of East Hampton” many of them said after hearing of his death. So officials are expecting a large congregation to gather for the funeral service.
As much as is possible, Police Chief Sean D. Cox is urging motorists to find alternative routes to avoid the anticipated delays at the church both before and after the service. Cox said delays can be expected to last from at least 9 a.m. to noon.
In an effort to handle the large number of people expected to attend the service, officials have arranged for overflow parking at the high school, Cox said in a release Thursday. A shuttle bus will convey residents to and from the church, Cox said.
Cox said, given the number of people who are expected to attend the wake, visitors arriving at the high school should be careful and to pay close attention to the directions of the police. “With the recent renovation of the high school, there is additional parking on the north side as well as the rear (west) side of the building,” Cox said.
“Volunteers will be stationed at each entrance to the building to help guide visitors through the facility,” Cox said
Cox said motorists should anticipate encountering delays in the vicinity of the highs chool.
Once the church is filled to capacity, those wishing view the service can do so via live streaming in the high school auditorium, Cox said.
Following the funeral service, a reception will be held in the school cafeteria. The auditorium will also be the site of the wake for Fidler from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Fidler had led the high school through a two-year renovation that is just coming to completion and included renovating the auditorium.
The school is scheduled to be dedicated Sept. 8.
Meanwhile, an effort is underway to rename the school in Fidler’s memory.
Former town councilor Thom Cordeiro has started an online petition, and is seeking at least 1,000 names in support of his proposal to rename the school The John Fidler Memorial High School.
Fidler was hiking Mount Katahdin with his sons Jack and Jeffrey and his wife, Joan, when he had a fatal heart attack.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations by made to the John Fidler Scholarship Fund to East Hampton High School, Attention Linda Malavasi, 15 North Maple St., East Hampton, CT, 06424.