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01/17/2018 07:30 AMIn his fourth year as a crossing guard at North Haven Middle School (NHMS), Hubert “Hubie” Chidsey has faced some extra challenges directing traffic during the school’s recent renovation and cold winter months, but he enjoys his interactions with people at the school, and makes sure everyone is safe.
He compliments the staff at the middle school for being supportive and friendly, and says the students are polite, courteous, and pay attention to him, but what gives him the most pleasure is all of the waves and smiles he gets from the parents. He says the parents are very patient, especially in the morning when he has to move 150 to 175 cars in and out of the school in a half an hour.
“I’ve also learned to do the ‘crossing guard two-step,’ so I know how to get away from cars that come a little too close,” Hubie says with a laugh.
His biggest concern is the safety of the kids in the mornings and especially afternoons, which is the more active time. Hubie says that occasionally he’ll stay with a student waiting for a ride near the end of the driveway.
“It’s not in my job description, but it’s what I do to protect [them], with all the things that happen in the world lately,” Hubie says.
With the middle school recently renovated, Hubie had to direct traffic during the construction period. He says he was fortunate that the construction company was cooperative and worked hand-in-hand with him, ensuring the construction schedule didn’t conflict with the school’s.
Having lived in town for 61 years, he attended NHMS himself and was a part of the first group of students when the building opened in 1960. He says the newly renovated building is a wonderful thing.
“They did a marvelous job at the school,” Hubie says, “The kids here should consider themselves very fortunate; they have such a good facility and teachers.”
There’s been snow and cold weather during the month of January, but he says it’s no big deal and the weather doesn’t bother him. Hubie’s efforts are acknowledged—people give him coffee during the wintertime.
“I’ve had four or five cups of coffee lined up,” he says.
“The problem is I can’t direct traffic and drink coffee at the same time,” Hubie says, laughing. “I have them lined up on the snow bank.”
Along with the coffee, some give him things like gift cards and even an NHMS winter hat during the holiday season. Though he doesn’t do it for the acknowledgment, he says it makes him feel good he’s doing something people appreciate.
Hubie attended trade school, and began a career in toolmaking after he completed his apprenticeship. He says he “just kept learning,” and worked on various things in the automobile and aerospace industries, among others.
“My last job was…building test equipment for jet engines,” Hubie says.
Retiring from that field at 62, Hubie spent the first few years of retirement as a caregiver for his wife. After she had passed away, he says things got “real boring,” but later on someone told him that the North Haven Police Department was looking for a crossing guard at the middle school.
“I figured, let me apply,” Hubie says, “Best thing I ever did. I have a great time.”
Hubie was attracted to the job because he likes interacting with people. He used to own a hobby shop called Hubie’s Hobbies, where he used to sell plastic models, dollhouses, trains, and other general hobby items. He closed the shop after the video game craze took over—he says he saw the writing on the wall.
People shouldn’t worry about Hubie going anywhere at this point. He says he may have mentioned retirement, but it was a passing thought. H says he can’t retire because he enjoys it too much.
“It breaks up my day, and I get to interact with the students,” Hubie says.
Another activity Hubie is involved in is the New Haven Raccoon Club, a club for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor sports and activities. He’s a lifetime member, and when his wife was going through health problems, he says the club of about 300 members was very supportive.
He helps out in the kitchen with the club, and says he’ll make food for the group during events, like when the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection comes for hunter safety courses, or a kids’ fishing derby.
“I always do something special for breakfast for the young people,” Hubie says.