In Memoriam -- Edward Hapgood Little
Edward Hapgood Little, died peacefully in presence of his family in
Milford, Connecticut on February 20, 2010 following a stroke.
Formerly of West Hartford, Fenwick and Old Saybrook, Ted lived
in East Haddam, CT since 1999 and Nantucket since 2007. Ted's
focus was always on others, never himself. He lived a life of service
to his family and his church and his country. Beyond family and
friends, his pleasures were simple: researching genealogies and
especially his own family history, being outdoors with his dogs and
children, observing the changing seasons, chopping wood and
sailing. Ted was born in Hartford at the Niles Street Hospital on
June 20, 1927 to Mitchell Stuart and Elizabeth Hapgood Little.
Locally, he was educated at Miss Wheeler's Open Air School,
Fernwood School and Kings-wood School. College preparation was
at the Groton School (1946) and Yale College (1950). A US Naval
veteran of World War II and Korea, active duty took him to the
Artic Ocean in 1946 aboard the USS Stormes. In 1952, he served in
the Far East as part of Task Force 77, first aboard the USS Oriskany
as an air intelligence officer in the dive bomb squadron. He later
served on the Admiral's staff aboard the USS Yorktown. From 1955
to 1973, Ted was a manufacturer with The Little Products Company
of Hartford and New York. They produced the Exercycle exerciser,
a forerunner of later fitness equipment. Beginning in 1973, Ted
turned to working on what he loved: genealogical studies. He
worked for 32 years as a professional genealogist, researching and
compiling genealogies as well as establishing a number of
collections at the Connecticut Historical Society. His prime interest
was in the importance of the family in family lineages. In his
research he sought to draw aspects of personality from historical
records, so as to reveal a person's life experiences and qualities
imbedded therein. Among other published works, he was
privileged to research and write The Davis Story with his friend
John K. Davis, published in 1992. From 1973 to 1984 Ted was a
member of the Fenwick Historic District Commission and its
Chairman from 1979 to 1984. He was a member and past Governor
of The Connecticut Society in The Order and the Founders and
Patriots of America and also The Society of the Descendents of the
Founders of Hartford. Ted was baptized, confirmed and married at
South Congregational Church. He worshipped there his whole life
and occasionally spoke on the Church's unique heritage, including
its strong and continuing ties to Thomas Hooker, Hartford's
founder. From 1976 to 1979, he was the Executive Secretary of the
Connecticut Congregational Fellowship. Ted was also a member of
the Angler's Club on Nantucket and the Nantucket Historical
Association. Ted was a selfless individual. A true gentleman who
quietly lived his faith, a loving and devoted husband, father and
grandfather. In 1958, Ted married Sharon Bergfors. They were
happily married for forty-four years, until her death in March
2002. Together they raised five children all of whom survive him:
Mitchell Stuart Little, II and his wife Stephenie, of Rancho Santa
Fe, CA; Gordon Bergfors Little and his wife Elizabeth McLarney,
MD of Guilford, VT; Catherine (Little) Files of North Stonington,
CT; Edward West Little of East Haddam, CT; and Rebekah Hapgood
Little of Walt-ham, MA. He is also survived by five Little
grandchildren: Tarrah and Mitchell Little; Ryan and Connor Little;
and Russell John Files, Jr. and by his sister Virginia Little Miller of
Bloomfield, CT and was predeceased by his brother Stuart West
Little of Norfolk, CT. In 2007, Ted married Pamela Connolly
Bartlett of Nantucket, MA, formerly of Simsbury and West
Hartford, CT. While their marriage was short by measure of time,
it was the great blessing of the final years of his life and hers. The
marriage also brought Pam's daughter, Sarah Bartlett Neighbours
of Simsbury, CT and her two sons, Robert 0. Neighbours and
Taylor S. Neighbours into his family and he loved them as he loved
his other children and grandchildren. Following a family burial
service at Cedar Hill Cemetery, there will be a memorial service to
celebrate Ted's life on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 2 p.m. at South
Congregational Church, 277 Main Street, Hartford officiated by
Pastor Adam T. Soderberg. A reception will follow in Gray Hall. In
Nantucket on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 1 p.m. there will be a
Service of Remembrance for Ted at St. Paul's Episcopal Church
officiated by the Reverend Eugene C McDowell, followed by a
reception. In lieu of flowers, the Little family would appreciate a
donation in Ted's honor for the genealogical work at the
Connecticut Historical Society, One Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT
06105. The James T. Pratt Funeral Service, Wethersfield has care
of the arrangements.