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Coppola Retires; St. Jude’s Gets $2,275
by Staff | Jul 19, 2010 9:19 am
(7) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author
Posted to: City Hall
Here are four vital statistics: 1. 30. 250. And $2.275.
Those statistics came together last Thursday night in honor a city government trailblazer, in the quest to help hospitalized children.
The occasion was the retirement dinner for the city’s chief of vital statistics, Renee Coppola.
#1: Coppola was the city’s first female registrar of vital statistics.
30: That’s the number of years she served New Haven as a government employee.
250: That’s how many family members, coworkers and friends made it to the East Shore Thursday night for her retirement dinner.
2,275: That how much many dollars the event raised for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
William Iovanne served as master of ceremonies at the event. Speakers included Mayor John DeStefano, former city budget chief Frank Altieri, former mayoral aide Joe Carbone, and union presidents Larry Amendola and Cherlyn Poindexter.
Here’s the write-up about Coppola that appeared in the program:
Renee’s history with the City of New Haven harkens back to 1980 when she was hired by the DiLieto Administration as a Keypunch Operator. Born in New Haven’s Morris Cove to parents Peter and Ann Marie Coppola, Renee flourished in her job. She was a hard worker and decided that she wanted to make a career within the city. She learned a lot about the operations of a municipality, while gaining experience in dealing with the public.
In 1985 Renee transferred to the Department of Management & Budget as a Data Entry Clerk, in which over the years she worked under three Budget Directors. In 2002 after her many years of service there, she was appointed to her final city position as Registrar of Vital Statistics. Under Renee’s direction the department’s productivity increased, functions were streamlined, and several modifications were made to improve public access.
Renee loves the City of New Haven, and she loved working here. She’s been a friend to many of us, who worked along-side or near her for decades. She has also been welcoming to those new employees, who are not city veterans. Rene has also given herself and her time in volunteer capacities. Over the years, she chaired three Inaugural Balls, countless Columbus Day dinners.
Renee has been important to everything that is connected with the City of New Haven’s workforce, and she will be hard to replace. Her laugh cannot be mistaken for anyone else’s. Both will be missed by many. We wish her the best of luck in her retirement, and we hope that she realizes continued good health and infinite happiness.
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Comments
posted by: FFJimmy K on July 19, 2010 11:13am
Renee, You are a true friend and will be missed by all. Enjoy your deserved retirement and good health.
posted by: ST.PAULIEGURL on July 19, 2010 12:17pm
You will be miss Renee! sad to see you go, but happy you can go while the going is good. Had a great time at the dinner and wish you well on your retirement. YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST
posted by: cindy on July 19, 2010 6:17pm
Renee,We are so proud to have you as our sister and aunt.You have helped so many and as you retire you are helping the St.Jude Children. We were honored to be apart of your retirement celebration. We wish you HEALTH and HAPPINESS. May God bless you everyday. All our love, Cindy,Richard and Francesca
posted by: Chrissy Bonanno on July 20, 2010 7:26pm
What a fantastic event for an amazing person! There is no better friend, co-worker or New Haven booster than Renee Coppola. Her continued commitment to families is evident in the generous gift to St. Judes. I was so happy to be a part of your retirement celebration. Love you!
posted by: Susan L. Voigt on July 21, 2010 10:36am
I am so sorry that I missed this party… Renee - you will be missed. Phil was amongst your biggest fans at the City.
Please accept my congratulations and a donation to St. Jude’s! Love, Susie
posted by: Cherlyn on July 22, 2010 3:30pm
I just want everyone to read the speech I gave at Renee’s Retirement party. She is a good friend and a great person.
I’m here today to give tribute to a wonderful friend, whom I have known for over twenty-five year. Although Renee began working for the City a few years before me, we have been very close for both of our careers. Renee began her career in the DiLieto Administration as a Keypunch Operator. A few years later, she became a Data Control Clerk, and that’s when we met and forged a strong, trusting relationship. At that time, I was a CDBG Data Coordinator in Development Finance. We were young and full of energy. We both wanted to make our marks in the City. And, I can honestly say that I think we definitely did make our mark.
Renee is retiring after 30 years, eight of which she served as the first woman to hold the position of Registrar of Vital Statistics, in the City of New Haven. She joins a list of several other women, who are firsts. Ella Grasso was the first female Governor of our state, but New Haven has had a lot of first ladies 1976 Mary Hayes was the first women Registrar of Voters,1978 Louise Harmony was the first Firefighter, 1986 Sally Brown became the first City Town Clerk, 2006 Stephanie Redding became the first women Assistant Chief and in 2010 I became the first black woman to be elected to the position of President of Local 3144. We “firsts” have an obligation to always be the best. Renee has fulfilled that role. She was a diligent and loyal employee, who never cut corners or looked for an easy way out. Her sense of commitment to the City is only overshadowed by her friendship and supportive nature to her friends here. She’s always been there when you needed her, she never judged, and her spontaneous laughter could be heard throughout the halls in every one of the buildings, in which she worked.
Renee is definitely one of a kind. The City will definitely not be the same without her presence. I, along with all of her friends and co-workers, will miss her dearly. I wish her luck and hope that she finds a wealth of happiness in her retirement, and all through her life. Renee, your grandmother Phyllis is smiling.
