contributed photo
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.