Tris M. Carta

CARTA, Tris M. On September 3, 2008 Tris M. Carta of Southport died of natural causes at the age of 89. First as a teacher and coach, and then as an elected member of Fairfield's Board of Education, Tris served Fairfield's citizens for 46 years. A native of Middletown, he was one of eight children and captain of that school's state championship football and track teams in 1937-38. He was only 5 foot – 10 inches tall and 173 pounds, yet he scored the 1937 state record of 121 points as a fullback his senior year and was named to Connecticut's All State Football team. Upon graduation he was not only the first member of his family to attend college, but he led the way as the first in a generation of Italian-Americans in Middletown to pursue a college education. As a freshman on a full scholarship, Tris earned a starting position on the varsity football squad at George Washington University. However, his education was interrupted during his sophomore year by World War II. As a Sargent and Flight Engineer in the Air Force 449 Bomb Group, 717th Squadron, Tris flew on B-17s and later on B-24s. After serving a complete tour of duty, he declined to return home and volunteered for a second tour of active duty. In total, he flew in 51 combat missions over North Africa and Europe. He was honorably discharged on July 2, 1945. While stationed at Willow Run, MI during the war, Tris met his future wife, the former Elizabeth Jepson. Ms. Jepson was the elder daughter of Raymond G. Jepson, the chief architect and engineer for the City of Detroit. At the time, Detroit was the economic hub of the United States. On his return to the states, Tris and Elizabeth were married on June 9, 1945. Tris then continued his education at the University of Michigan, earning first a BS, then a Masters in Education. Later, Tris obtained his six-year degree in Education from the University of Southern California. Tris and Elizabeth came to Fairfield in 1948 where Tris had secured a job at Fairfield High School as head football and track coach, and Elizabeth as a teacher in home arts. When he took over the track duties in the spring of 1949, the school had been without a creditable record in the sport for more than a decade. Although interest in the sport had ebbed, Tris quickly molded a fine team. His second track season became the turning point for the Fairfield High track program. In 1950 the team went undefeated and ranked third in the state. The following two years witnessed an unprecedented interest in track with more candidates for the squad than any other sport at Fairfield High. In 1956, 35 freshmen alone tried out for the team. This 1956 squad went on to win the state championship and then to make history by being the only Fairfield team ever to win the New England Championship. Early in his tenure as track coach, Tris spearheaded a movement among a group of coaches in Fairfield County to better organize and regulate their sport. This initiative lead to the establishment of the FCIA division, the organization that now oversees all high school athletics in Fairfield County high schools. In the mid 1950's Tris was offered the opportunity to join the Yale University football coaching staff. For 17 years, Tris commuted to New Haven to coach at Yale after finishing his teaching and coaching duties at Roger Ludlowe High School. In 1972 Tris was offered and accepted the position as head football coach at Fairfield University. He retired from football coaching in the mid 1970's after building yet another winning-team tradition. In 1983, after 35 years of teaching and coaching, Tris retired from Roger Ludlowe High School. Never one to be unproductive, he then resolved to run for the Fairfield Board of Education. Although no teacher had ever been elected to the Board, Tris won a landslide victory in his first election and went on to serve on the Board for a total of 11 years. In total, he served the citizens of Fairfield as an educator for 46 years. Once retired Tris was active in the Stephen Ministry at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Westport and enjoyed traveling, golf, gardening and his grandchildren. Tris leaves behind his wife of 64 years Elizabeth J. Carta; Stephen M. Carta, his wife, Polly and their children, Chad and Kate, Mark R. Carta, Esq. and his former wife Sally and their children, Sarah, Anna, and Nicole, Tris John Carta D.M.D, his wife, Angelee Diana Carta M.D. and their children, Raymond and Carolyn, and Matthew W. Carta, his wife, Julie and their children, Brandon and Kayla. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, September 8 at 10 a.m. meeting DIRECTLY at St. Luke's Church, Westport. Interment will be private. Friends may call Sunday, September 7 from 4-7 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 S Benson Rd., Fairfield. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mr. Carta's memory to, St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 S Main St., Chamberlain, SD 57326. (605) 234-3300 To sign an online guest book please visit www.spearmillerfuneralhome.com.