Dr. Edward Shine passed away on April 21, 2026 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 82. He was born in New Haven, CT to Jeremiah and Mary (Richardson) Shine on July 17, 1943.
Ed graduated from Notre Dame High School in West Haven, CT in 1961. He graduated from Fairfield University ’65, M ’67, CAS ’71. He earned a Doctorate of Education from Colombia University in 1992.
He began his career in education as a teacher and counselor at Wright Tech in Stamford, CT and Windham Tech in Willimantic, CT. He became an assistant principal at Regional District #8 in Hebron, CT. Ed then moved onto Fairfield, CT where he became Guidance Housemaster at Roger Ludlowe High School, Assistant Headmaster at Andrew Warde High School, and back to Ludlowe as Headmaster. In 1985, he became principal of Grosse Pointe South High School in Grosse Pointe, MI. In 1985, he was appointed Deputy Superintendent and in 1990 Superintendent of Schools in Grosse Pointe. It was the first time a Superintendent was appointed from within the school system.
In 1996, Ed was appointed Superintendent of Schools for the Rye City Schools in Rye, New York. He served the Rye community for sixteen years. He retired for six months, when he heard the calling again and became Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Norwich, CT. Three years later he completed his fifty years in education.
In retirement he and Maddie became snowbirds and spent time in Connecticut and St. Pete Beach, FL. He enjoyed reading, lunches with friends, walks on the beach, and especially being entertained by his six grandchildren. He also enjoyed being a mentor in the Fairfield University Residential College. Music was always part of his life. Starting with singing in the choir of St. Joseph Church in New Haven as a child. When attending Fairfield University, he was a member of the Fairfield University Glee Club where he often had a solo in a concert. During his college years and after, he sang at weddings and funerals which helped finance his way through college. Later in his life he sang at gatherings, parties, and various functions. He almost always sang “My Way” or “Danny Boy.”
Ed leaves behind his wife of fifty-five years, Madeline (Maddie); three children, Christine Shine, Brendan (Mara) Shine, and Marykate (Dan) Springer; his six grandchildren, Joaquim and Maddie Rangel, Danny, Christopher, and Andrew Springer, and Easton Shine.
Ed is survived by his brother, Jack Shine; sisters, Mary Ann McDonald and Theresa Salafia. He was predeceased by his parents, Jeremiah and Mary Shine; his brothers, Jerry, Dan, and Denis Shine.
A visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Carpino Funeral Home in Southbury, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 am Friday, May 1, 2026 at Sacred Heart Church in Southbury, CT. Immediately following Mass, a luncheon will be held at Brunch House 1850, 137 East Hill Road, Southbury, CT. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to American Parkinson’s Disease Association.
