Dr. Hill Wilson Brindle was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City on July 22, 1934. After graduating from high school he began his long career of public service when he served in the Army from 1957-59. Dr. Brindle, who received his Ed.D in 1979 from Fordham University, began a 12-year teaching career in 1956 at Frederick Douglas J.H.S. in Harlem. In 1969, Dr. Brindle was appointed Assistant Principal at Douglas for nine years, until he was appointed principal for 12 years at John Phillip Sousa J.H.S. 142 in the Baychester/Edenwald section of the Bronx. At the time of his installment, Sousa was notoriously famous for violence, delinquency and low test scores. Many students dropped out or transferred for fear of violence, and it appeared that the school would yet become another tragic case study of the city's failing public education system.
Utilizing his own special form of discipline, Dr. Brindle was able to recapture the school from the forces that had made it a pariah in the city's school system. By using methods that would possibly be considered either controversial or trendsetting in today's society, Dr. Brindle began initiating daily bag checks, initiating a weekly assembly day in which students were required to dress formally, and holding silent drills where students transferred from one class to another in total silence two times every day. Students no longer feared, nor loathed coming to school and Sousa once again became a safe haven for students and educators alike. He stepped down as principal of Sousa when he formally retired in June 1990. At his final graduation as principal which occurred on June 22, 1990, Dr. Brindle's longtime friend, legendary stage & film actor and activist Ossie Davis served as keynote speaker. While a new decade commenced and another group of students marched into high school, an era came to an end.
With his 37 years of service with the New York City Board of Education, Dr. Brindle also served as an adjunct professor at Purchase College, York Community College, the College of New Rochelle, and the City College of New York (C.C.N.Y.). Friends, family and former students say his strength was their beacon for overcoming obstacles.
Dr. Brindle, who lived with his wife, Shirley, in West Nyack, is also survived by two daughters, Darlene Brindle-Waties and Lisa Brindle-Talbot; mother-in-law, Stella Drayton; brother-in-law, Robert Goldsmith; two sons-in-law, David W. Waties, David A. Talbot III; two sisters, Betty, Carolyn; nieces, and a nephew.
Dr. Hill Wilson Brindle was a true gentleman who truly cared about his students. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a respected educator, and most importantly a stern, yet adored father figure to students whom he led to brighter futures. Teachers, parents, and community leaders admired his straight-forwardness and honesty. Students cherished his mission in inspiring them to reach for their best.
Beloved by his family, students and the community at large he will be truly missed.
Utilizing his own special form of discipline, Dr. Brindle was able to recapture the school from the forces that had made it a pariah in the city's school system. By using methods that would possibly be considered either controversial or trendsetting in today's society, Dr. Brindle began initiating daily bag checks, initiating a weekly assembly day in which students were required to dress formally, and holding silent drills where students transferred from one class to another in total silence two times every day. Students no longer feared, nor loathed coming to school and Sousa once again became a safe haven for students and educators alike. He stepped down as principal of Sousa when he formally retired in June 1990. At his final graduation as principal which occurred on June 22, 1990, Dr. Brindle's longtime friend, legendary stage & film actor and activist Ossie Davis served as keynote speaker. While a new decade commenced and another group of students marched into high school, an era came to an end.
With his 37 years of service with the New York City Board of Education, Dr. Brindle also served as an adjunct professor at Purchase College, York Community College, the College of New Rochelle, and the City College of New York (C.C.N.Y.). Friends, family and former students say his strength was their beacon for overcoming obstacles.
Dr. Brindle, who lived with his wife, Shirley, in West Nyack, is also survived by two daughters, Darlene Brindle-Waties and Lisa Brindle-Talbot; mother-in-law, Stella Drayton; brother-in-law, Robert Goldsmith; two sons-in-law, David W. Waties, David A. Talbot III; two sisters, Betty, Carolyn; nieces, and a nephew.
Dr. Hill Wilson Brindle was a true gentleman who truly cared about his students. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a respected educator, and most importantly a stern, yet adored father figure to students whom he led to brighter futures. Teachers, parents, and community leaders admired his straight-forwardness and honesty. Students cherished his mission in inspiring them to reach for their best.
Beloved by his family, students and the community at large he will be truly missed.
Dr. Hill Wilson Brindle was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City on July 22, 1934. After graduating from high school he began his long career of public service when he served in the Army from 1957-59. Dr. Brindle, who received his Ed.D in 1979 from Fordham University, began a 12-year teaching career in 1956 at Frederick Douglas J.H.S. in Harlem. In 1969, Dr. Brindle was appointed Assistant Principal at Douglas for nine years, until he was appointed principal for 12 years at John Phillip Sousa J.H.S. 142 in the Baychester/Edenwald section of the Bronx. At the time of his installment, Sousa was notoriously famous for violence, delinquency and low test scores. Many students dropped out or transferred for fear of violence, and it appeared that the school would yet become another tragic case study of the city's failing public education system.
Utilizing his own special form of discipline, Dr. Brindle was able to recapture the school from the forces that had made it a pariah in the city's school system. By using methods that would possibly be considered either controversial or trendsetting in today's society, Dr. Brindle began initiating daily bag checks, initiating a weekly assembly day in which students were required to dress formally, and holding silent drills where students transferred from one class to another in total silence two times every day. Students no longer feared, nor loathed coming to school and Sousa once again became a safe haven for students and educators alike. He stepped down as principal of Sousa when he formally retired in June 1990. At his final graduation as principal which occurred on June 22, 1990, Dr. Brindle's longtime friend, legendary stage & film actor and activist Ossie Davis served as keynote speaker. While a new decade commenced and another group of students marched into high school, an era came to an end.
With his 37 years of service with the New York City Board of Education, Dr. Brindle also served as an adjunct professor at Purchase College, York Community College, the College of New Rochelle, and the City College of New York (C.C.N.Y.). Friends, family and former students say his strength was their beacon for overcoming obstacles.
Dr. Brindle, who lived with his wife, Shirley, in West Nyack, is also survived by two daughters, Darlene Brindle-Waties and Lisa Brindle-Talbot; mother-in-law, Stella Drayton; brother-in-law, Robert Goldsmith; two sons-in-law, David W. Waties, David A. Talbot III; two sisters, Betty, Carolyn; nieces, and a nephew.
Dr. Hill Wilson Brindle was a true gentleman who truly cared about his students. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a respected educator, and most importantly a stern, yet adored father figure to students whom he led to brighter futures. Teachers, parents, and community leaders admired his straight-forwardness and honesty. Students cherished his mission in inspiring them to reach for their best.
Beloved by his family, students and the community at large he will be truly missed.
Utilizing his own special form of discipline, Dr. Brindle was able to recapture the school from the forces that had made it a pariah in the city's school system. By using methods that would possibly be considered either controversial or trendsetting in today's society, Dr. Brindle began initiating daily bag checks, initiating a weekly assembly day in which students were required to dress formally, and holding silent drills where students transferred from one class to another in total silence two times every day. Students no longer feared, nor loathed coming to school and Sousa once again became a safe haven for students and educators alike. He stepped down as principal of Sousa when he formally retired in June 1990. At his final graduation as principal which occurred on June 22, 1990, Dr. Brindle's longtime friend, legendary stage & film actor and activist Ossie Davis served as keynote speaker. While a new decade commenced and another group of students marched into high school, an era came to an end.
With his 37 years of service with the New York City Board of Education, Dr. Brindle also served as an adjunct professor at Purchase College, York Community College, the College of New Rochelle, and the City College of New York (C.C.N.Y.). Friends, family and former students say his strength was their beacon for overcoming obstacles.
Dr. Brindle, who lived with his wife, Shirley, in West Nyack, is also survived by two daughters, Darlene Brindle-Waties and Lisa Brindle-Talbot; mother-in-law, Stella Drayton; brother-in-law, Robert Goldsmith; two sons-in-law, David W. Waties, David A. Talbot III; two sisters, Betty, Carolyn; nieces, and a nephew.
Dr. Hill Wilson Brindle was a true gentleman who truly cared about his students. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, a respected educator, and most importantly a stern, yet adored father figure to students whom he led to brighter futures. Teachers, parents, and community leaders admired his straight-forwardness and honesty. Students cherished his mission in inspiring them to reach for their best.
Beloved by his family, students and the community at large he will be truly missed.
