Phil Dye Among BHS Alumni & Friends Foundation Hall of Fame Inductees
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on September 16, 2023
Philip Dye, the son of Johnny O. Dye and Barbara Ann Dillon Dye, has been named a member of the Bridgeport High School Alumni and
Friends Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Phil, who also has a brother Steve Dye, is a 1972 graduate of Bridgeport High School. Phil’s mother and brother are both graduates of BHS, as well as his special cousins, Jack and Mark Cole.
Friends Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Phil, who also has a brother Steve Dye, is a 1972 graduate of Bridgeport High School. Phil’s mother and brother are both graduates of BHS, as well as his special cousins, Jack and Mark Cole.
His involvement in the community began when he worked at the Pure Foods Store after graduating from BHS. He began working there as a meat cutter when the store was located on East Main Street and continued working there when it made its move to Water Street. Like many involved with the store, Dye became a community staple.
Phil became most known during his decades of work as a member of the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department at first and then as a member of the Full-time City of Bridgeport Fire Department. It was during that time that he became known as “Fireman Phil” and “Phil Dye the Fire Guy” by the community, in particular the youth of the community. Phil frequently led tours of the firehouse to local school children, scout groups, and other youth. He represented the department and the city in excellent fashion. Phil’s employment as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) lasted from 1996 until 2014 when he retired.
Today, he is still employed by the City of Bridgeport and still working with children. Phil is the school crossing guard at Simpson Elementary School. You can also find Phil working at Ford Funeral Home on Main Street.
Phil is also a lifelong member of Bridgeport United Methodist Church. His mother was born in her home on East Philadelphia Avenue and was extremely proud to have been born in the City of Bridgeport.
This year's honorees also include Jon Griffith, Gregory Brown, and Frank Edward Jenio. Inductees will be honored at an Oct. 7 banquet at "The O" by Oliverios. The menu will feature an Italian entree, sides, salad, and bread. Cake will be served. Tickets are $60 each. Purchase tickets HERE. The inductees will also be honored at the Friday, Oct. 6 BHS football game at Wayne Jamison field.
The BHS Hall of Fame is open to BHS graduates and non-BHS graduates. Alumnae must have benefited society or the community in which they live, excelled in their chosen field, or directly contributed to BHS through time or talent. Those not graduating from BHS musts have directly benefited BHS through time or talent. Nominees are accepted by the public and voted upon by BHS Alumni & Friends Foundation board of directors.
The banquet and al fundraisers held throughout the year benefit the foundation's scholarship fund, which has provided thousands of dollars to BHS seniors to be used toward their higher education goals.
