FREEHOLD – Funeral services have been set for Dr. Jeffrey Huguenin, the 46-year old Freehold principal who passed away on Sunday, Oct. 7.
Dr. Huguenin was not only the principal at Freehold’s Joseph J. Catena Elementary School, but he was also a loving husband and father. Dr. Huguenin was a Howell resident and a school administrator for 15 years.
Dr. Huguenin had been head of the Catena school since 2013. He held many titles including adjunct professor, national presenter and innovator.
“Jeff Huguenin was a visionary leader who had a strong commitment to the field of education. He led with his heart and truly loved the staff, students and parents in the Catena community. Dr. Huguenin established the theme of “inspire” for the Catena School this year, and our goal is to honor his vision and commitment through that theme. He touched the lives of many and will be sorely missed,” stated Freehold schools superintendent Neal Dickstein.
According to his obituary by Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, he was born and raised in South Amboy, then moved to Brick and later Howell by 2004.
A graduate of West Chester University, it was there where he met Beth, his wife.
Huguenin achieved his degree in health and physical education in 1994 from West Chester and went on to earn his master’s in educational leadership from Georgian Court University in 2003 and his doctorate in educational leadership from St. Peter’s University in 2014.
Among his position as principal of the Catena school. Dr. Huguenin was also an adjunct professor Georgian Court University, a national presenter for educational technologies, and a member of the NJPSA.
His successes did not stop there; his work on “Hiring Practices for Principals” was published in in Educational Viewpoints and he was acknowledged by Ted Dintersmith in his book Most Likely To Succeed in 2018. He also developed a STEAM Center in the Catena School with the support of Lockheed Martin Corp.
With a passion for soccer and even a former player on the West Chester University Golden Rams team, Huguenin later took on the challenge of coach for the Howell United Rebels and Hornets. He was also the former President of the Howell United Soccer Club.
Dr. Huguenin made many successes in his life and will be sorely missed by his wife of 21 years, Beth Huguenin and his daughters, Sara and Emily Huguenin.
A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service on Friday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. the funeral home.
Donations may be made in Dr. Huguenin’s name to the Joseph J. Catena Elementary School PTO in support of the STEAM Center located at 275 Burlington Road, Freehold Township, NJ 07728.
For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family, visit claytonfuneralhome.com.
