Edward Rudd Hillman

Edward "Ted" Rudd Hillman

A beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2023, at his home in Pittsburgh, PA, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 83 years old.

Born on January 5, 1940 in Bridgeport, CT, Ted was the second of four children. He was the son of Albert Oscar Hillman and Julia Bishop Hillman of Schenectady, NY. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth "Betsy" Marcellus Hillman, his daughter Wendy Hillman Todd of Pittsburgh, PA, son-in-law Thomas Spencer Todd, and his grandchildren Abby and Jack. Ted is also survived by his brothers Charlie of South Hero, VT and John of Oak Park, IL. He was predeceased by his older sister Julie Dougherty.

Ted spent his childhood years living in Fairfield, CT, where he developed a lifelong passion for sailing at Black Rock Yacht Club. In 8th grade, he moved to Schenectady, NY, and went on to attend Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, where he graduated in 1962 and was a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity. His fraternity brothers affectionately referred to Ted as "Cozy", after the famous jazz drummer Cozy Cole, as he was often found tapping out rhythms on his bongo set and singing to the Beach Boys. Following graduation in 1962, he enlisted in the Navy and became a helicopter pilot in Squadron HC3 in Lakehurst, NJ. While in the Navy, he flew missions around the world, including Antarctica. Ted completed his Naval duties in 1967, retiring as a Lieutenant.

On June 12, 1965, Ted married the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betsy" Marcellus. After graduating from Columbia Business School in 1968, they moved to East Granby, CT, where Ted began his insurance career at Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, now known as CIGNA. He then moved to Yarmouth, Maine, to work for UNUM, where he eventually retired as the President of First UNUM New York.

Ted was passionate about boats and spent much of his free time building and sailing them. Whether sailing around Long Island Sound, Penobscot Bay, Casco Bay or cruising from Vermont to Maine on the Hudson river, the water was where he was happiest. If he wasn't on the water he could be found in his workshop or attending the Wooden Boat School in Brooklyn, Maine building boats. If you were lucky enough to be part of the crew on one of Ted's boats, it was an honor, and one to take seriously. Many memories are conjured up of Ted enthusiastically ordering his crew to "pull the OTHER sheet!" and "hard alee!". Ted was an active member of his community and served on the boards of the Alzheimer's Association of Maine, The YMCA of Portland, Maine and First UNUM. He was also a member of First Parish Church of Brunswick, Maine, and volunteered his time overseeing the finances of his Maine community, The Homewood Association.

During his later years, Ted and Betsy moved to Pittsburgh, PA to be closer to their daughter and family. Ted and Betsy often would be seen walking, spending time with family and cheering loudly on the sidelines of their grandchildren's athletic games at Shady Side Academy.

A service to celebrate Ted's life will be held at the Chapel at Longwood at Oakmont on Thursday, April 20 at 4pm in the afternoon. A memorial service will also be held on the water in Maine at a date to be determined in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. www.alz.org. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc., Pittsburgh (freyvogelfuneralhome.com).