Edwin G. Hebb Jr.

1928 - 2023

Edwin Gordon Hebb, Jr., affectionately known as Captain, Guppy, Dad, and Ed, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2023, at the age of 95. He was the husband of the late Janice McCone Hebb. Born on May 9, 1928, in Burlington, Vermont, Ed lived a long and rewarding life. Ed spent his youth in Bellows Falls, Vermont before he enlistedin the United States Army during the Korean War. From 1950 to 1952, he served his country in active ground combat with the 45th Infantry, 180th Regiment, Third Battalion as a Sergeant 1st Class. For his service, Ed was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. Following his return from Korea, Ed attended the University of Vermont (UVM). He enjoyed his time at UVM, serving as President of Sigma Nu Fraternity. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956, he pursued his Juris Doctorate at Georgetown Law School, which he completed in 1959. During his time at law school, Ed met the love of his life, Janice McCone. As Janice was a West Hartford native, upon Ed's graduation, he headed north to start his life with his bride-to-be.Janice and Ed's 60-year marriage started in West Hartford, where they raised their three daughters, Jennifer, Sarah, and Ginger. In their later years, Janice and Ed enjoyed time in Westerly, Rhode Island and Vero Beach, Florida. Their devotion to each other was everlasting, with Ed right by Janice's side as she battled Alzheimer's. Ten years into his legal career, Ed met Richard Gitlin; together they established the law firm of Hebb & Gitlin. Ed took great pride in growing the "H & G" family. By the time the firm merged with Bingham Dana in 1999, Hebb & Gitlin had grown to 55 attorneys with offices in Hartford and London. Ed practiced exclusively in Hartford, where he built a distinguished career as a trial attorney. He loved the courtroom. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ed was deeply involved in public service. He brought his legal skills to TheEpiscopal Diocese of Connecticut, having served as Vice Chancellor and Chancellor from 1975 to 2008. Ed initiated the Conference for the Province One Chancellors and enjoyed the professional exchange and fellowship of the group. In honor of Ed's faithful and valuable service to the Episcopal Diocese, he was bestowed the honorary title of Canon in 2008. Ed was also involved in local and state politics for many years, having proudly served on the West Hartford Corporation Council from 1972 to 1974. In 1974, Ed was elected Chairman of the West Hartford Republican Party and subsequently served two terms. Ed was an avid sailor and experienced great joy on the water. He spent many summers aboard Troika along with his reluctant first mate, Janice, and his able crew of daughters. Ed was an active member of the Watch Hill Yacht Club, where he eventually served as Commodore. Throughout the years, he shared his love of sailing with his buddies by taking Troika on annual cruises to the Chesapeake Bay. In his final years of sailing, Ed enjoyed the comradery of the Watch Hill 15 skippers – regardless of how he placed in the weekly races. Ed enjoyed walking the beaches of Rhode Island and Florida, always looking to add to his impressive collection of sea glass. The only thing that rivaled this collection was his large assortment of bow ties. Whether in the courtroom, at the Canoe Club, or at church, Ed was rarely seen without one. Ed was a lifelong learner which was evident in his pursuit of many interests. He was a lover of poetry and the opera, a lecturer on the Dead Sea Scrolls, and an adult student of the violin. He also enjoyed jogging with his loyal companion, Tundra, skiing with his family at Okemo, and exploring his Vermont roots with family time at the Sugar House in Putney. Ed will be greatly missed by his three daughters, their spouses,and his seven grandchildren. He leaves behind Jennifer (Nick) Daukas of Glastonbury, Connecticut, and Jennifer's children Molly (Chris) Desmarais and Sarah (Taylor) Phillips; Sarah (John) Quirk of Harwich Port, Massachusetts, and their children Madeline (Colby) Hart, Meredith Quirk, and Johnny Quirk; and Ginger (Rob) Lynn of Glastonbury, and their children GarrettLynn and Katie Lynn. Ed also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Henry and Charlotte Hart, Jackson Phillips, and Olivia Desmarais. Ed was pre-deceased by his parents, Edwin Gordon Hebb and Elizabeth Clarke Chamberlin, as well as his brother, Angus Hebb. He is survived by his brother's wife, Karin Hebb. His family wishes to thank the many kind caregivers at Seabury who made the last chapter of his life warm and comforting. They would also like to thank the Masonicare Hospice Care Team. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Episcopal Church in CT, 290 Pratt Street, Box 52, Meriden, CT 06450. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 10, at 11:00 a.m. at St. James's Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT. A reception will follow at the church. For condolences or directions please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.