Edwin Michael Millette age 81 passed away peacefully Easter Morning, Sunday, March 31, 2024. He was the loving husband of Deborah Bernard.
Edwin Michael Millette
He was born on March 30, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. Always devoted to his Catholic Faith journey, he raised the funds and built his first church, St. Fabians, at the age of 17 in Bridgeview Illinois. He had a great appreciation for the Socratic education that he received from the various monks in the Greater Chicago area. As a young adult, Ed accepted a request from the Vatican to study the Focolare Movement and the effects of communal living. He continued to be of service throughout his life and cherished mentoring everyone he encountered to help them discover their own faith journey. He was a member of St. Aloysius’ Men’s Bible Study; a Young Life Leader; Religious Education teacher for St. Aloysius and St. Thomas of Villa Nova (Goshen); VIRTUS Trainer for the Diocese of Bridgeport; former member of the New Canaan Society; a member of the Emmaus Community in Westport, New Canaan and Goshen, CT, and Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.
Empowered by determination to support his young and growing family, he worked his way up from the mailroom to the executive suite before cofounding the Clarendon Reinsurance Group of NY,NY. He retired as vice Chairman of TIG Reinsurance Company and later served as an expert witness in reinsurance. He made his mark in the industry through mentoring many young insurance executives whom have since made numerous impacts still felt in the industry today.
As an active member of the Campfire Club of America, he enjoyed being with fellow outdoorsmen where they could enjoy their love of hunting, fishing and campfire crafts. He loved sharing all of these activities with family and friends. In that community, he would be asked to minister consoling words to those that were suffering loss. He was an avid hunter and traveled all over the world for his trophies. Ed cherished the numerous road trips with family and friends riding his Harley through New England, Canada, and Florida. He also loved Open Ocean Racing especially when asked to be a foul weather helmsman. One of his most memorable trips was a sanctioned race to Cuba in stormy weather.
He had a great love for family and friends and is survived by his first wife, Dolores Nudo Millette: Children: Edwin Millette, Jr, John Millette (Susan), Nancy Bewlay (Josh), Sharon Millette (Deb), James Millette (Amanda), Alex Bernard (Yahira), Brian Bernard (Louisa), Caitlin Bradley, Grandchildren: Nicholas Zane Millette, Zachary Millette, (Mika), Chase Millette, B Millette (Cassie), Samuel Millette, David Millette, Sidney Bewlay, J. Pierce Bewlay, Donsun Nadeau (Joha), Julia Kies (Adam), BelleAmi Nadeau, Ariel Ramos (A.J.), Allison Nadeau (Ben), Miles Frazier, Juliet Millette. Great Grandchildren: Gannon Kies, Keira Kies, Fergus Kies
Nieces and Nephews: Michael Millette, Beatrice Mologousis (Bill), Robert Millette (Angie), Michelle Tiberio (Guy), Roselle Saxon (Rick), Jonalee Folerzynski (Ed) and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Besides his parents, John Joseph Millette and Nancy Harper Millette, he is predeceased by his brother John (Jack) Millette.
Ed was loved by everyone. They enjoyed his humor, colorful stories and his trademark handlebar mustache. His booming voice could always be heard above the crowd, whether in church or at the piano singing Christmas carols. Most importantly he was loved for his giving & loving spirit.
Hemingway once said, ‘In order to write life first you must live it.’ If anyone truly lived a life worth writing about, it was Edwin Millette. We will all miss him dearly.
A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled for Friday, April 5, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840.
Calling Hours were scheduled for Hoyt Funeral Home on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 4 PM to 8 PM at 199 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
St Aloysius Building Campaign
St. Aloysius
40 Maple Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
Or
Little Sisters of the Poor
1365 Enfield St.
Enfield, CT 06082
https//www.littlesistersofthepoorconnecticut.org.
For online streaming please click on link below.
https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-edwin-m-millette-eijsmqrxffchszim4dsg
[This obituary appeared on the Hoyt Funeral Home website.]