JAMES A. CARRINGTON, LONGTIME EDUCATOR

James Albert Carrington, 62, of Trevose, special-education supervisor for the Bristol Township School District, died Nov. 30 at his home in Trevose.

Mr. Carrington, who was born in Halifax, Va., was reared in Philadelphia and Bucks County, where he graduated from Bensalem High School. He attended Syracuse University and Maryland State University in Princess Anne, Md., where he earned a bachelor's degree in education.

After serving in the Army, he began his career in education as a social studies teacher in Bensalem.

"He enjoyed teaching but always had a burning desire to reach out to troubled youths who required special attention," said his wife of many years, Beverly Johnson Carrington.

Mr. Carrington earned a master's degree in education from Millersville University and also took graduate courses at Trenton State College.

He had resided in Trevose for more than 46 years.

In 1967, Mr. Carrington joined the Bristol Township School District as a special-education teacher, and from 1971 until 1978 he was an assistant principal at Delhaas High School. For a brief period, he was an acting assistant principal at Woodrow Wilson High School.

He returned to the special-education department as a supervisor in 1978 and until his death was a mediator for district placements for junior and senior high school students. He also processed placements for 22 approved private schools and 13 residential settings.

"In an effort to afford disabled students the best educational program, he often acted as a liaison between the community and the school," his wife said.

Mr. Carrington also was involved in conflict and violence prevention in the community through a project called "No Longer Bound Prevention Services." He worked with the Rev. James G. Evans 3d, pastor of Norton Avenue Church in Bristol Township, in writing a grant to support the proposal.

Mr. Carrington's memberships included the Bucks County chapter of the NAACP, the Urban League, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the National Education Association, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, and the Council for Exceptional Children.

Besides his wife, he is survived by sons James A. Carrington and Tracy Joseph Jenkins; a daughter, Shelli Rae Carrington; a brother; and a grandson.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Paris Avenue and Somerton Road, Trevose. Burial was private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Daiyaan S. Cola Educational Trust Fund, c/o First Valley Bank, 4966 Old Street Rd., Trevose, Pa. 19053, to support the education of Mr. Carrington's grandson.

Arrangements were made by Charles F. Swartz Funeral Home, Newtown Borough.