New London County Death Notices - CT Genealogy Trails

Sunday, the 25^th inst., closed the days of his Excellency Roger Griswold, Esq., Governor of the state of Connecticut, in the 51^st year of his age. His remains were the day following removed from Norwich (where he had been detained by sickness) to his late residence in Lyme. The corpse was met at the north end of town by a large concourse of citizens, who walked in procession to the town adjoining. The shops were all shut ? business suspended ? minute guns fired from Fort Trumbull, and the vessels in the harbor displayed their flags half mast, as a testimonial of respect to the deceased.

As a man, a neighbor, and a friend, those who most intimately knew Governor Griswold, were those who most affectionately loved him. Warm in his attachments, he was not hasty in forming them, but, once formed, they were as lasting as their object was deserving. No little jealousy ? no small cunning, no petty intrigue, instigated by envy or malice, ever dated to solicit his countenance or support. To meanness and the artful expedients of low minds, he was constitutionally and irreconcilably an enemy, a fast friend, to frank, liberal and high minded men.

While at the Bar as an advocate, he was distinguished by merit peculiarly his own. The brilliancy and dazzling orators were beneath him ? his mind aspired to nobler fame.

Possessed of uncommon logical powers, he intuitively saw, and boldly sieved prominent and leading points f controversy, and disdaining to amuse, if he could not persuade, his whole force was irresistibly and successfully applied to ensure conviction. While others expended their strength in skirmishing with the outposts, he marched with a uniform pace and steady eye, to the citadel, from which no fear could appall and no danger deter him.

In this crisis of our political affairs the death of this eminently great man has occasioned a loss, to supply which we look with solicitude and in vain for his successor. Of his talents as a statesman, both when in Congress and since his election as chief magistrate of Connecticut, he has left the world a most faithful and imperishable Record. With a mind clear and discriminating, and which saw the consequences and effects of measures with the accuracy or prescience, with integrity and independence, flexible at no time, and yielding to no circumstances, with liberal and comprehensive views or general policy and superior to the ambition of being popular, by the sacrifice of a single sentiment, he united the unbounded confidence and attachment of his political friends with the respect and esteem even of his political enemies. No man has given such illustrious proof of having been taught in the school and guided by the principles of Washington, the father of his country.

[The Centinel (Gettysburg,Pennsylvania), November 18 1812]
Contributed by Nancy Piper

HILDEBRAND, Adam J. Rev. Fr. Adam J. Hildebrand, M.S.A., died peacefully at his Lebanon, Connecticut home on Wednesday June 11, 2008 after a long battle with cancer. Born October 30, 1951 in Aliquippa, PA, he was a son of the late William and Nathalie Hildebrand, Sr. He was previously married for 21 years to Rose Ann Rossi of Beaver Falls, PA and together they had three children, who survive him with their spouses; Colleen and Tom Schneider of Beaver, PA and Kelly and Chad McElravy and Michael and Jamie Hildebrand, all of Beaver Falls, PA. Fr. Adam was a beloved "Pap" to his six joy-filled grandchildren, Nathan and Jack Schneider, Noah and Chase McElravy and Dillion and Elaina Hildebrand – they were the love of his life. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, William and Amy Hildebrand of Cookeville, TN and his sister and brother-in-law, Bridget and Steve Zuri of Myrtle Beach, SC; as well as several aunts, uncles and nieces and nephews. Father also leaves behind his beloved sister in Christ and devoted nurse, Cynthia Ramatowski of Lebanon. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Donald "Skipper" and a sister, Eileen Fox. Father Adam's lifelong calling was to serve our Lord and His people. Early on, his vocation was found in the world of Citizen Advocacy as a Champion for those with disabilities. He consulted with many Citizen Advocacy and other Advocacy Organizations throughout the US, Australia and Canada and remained as an active voice for those who are marginalized and vulnerable in our society. He would later realize and answer his call to pursue the vocation of the Priesthood. He studied at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell and graduated as Valedictorian of his class there. Fr. Adam was ordained into the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ as a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles on March 24, 2007 at St. John Church in Middletown by the late Most Rev. Daniel A. Hart, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of Norwich. He celebrated a joyous 1st Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lebanon and was a weekend assistant to the Rev. Fr. Brian J. Converse, Pastor. He was loved by the parish community there and inspired others to unite their personal suffering to that of Jesus as he did daily by his deep humility and love of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Fr. Adam was pursuing his Ph.D. in Bioethics in Rome at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Anthenaeum, working on a doctoral dissertation protecting the sanctity and dignity of human life. He was a published author of One Person at a Time and a former editor for "The Forum", an international journal of the Citizen Advocacy Movement. Father also published many other articles defending the sanctity of human life and has a new book soon to be released, entitled Vigilant Courage. His body will be received at 11 a.m. Friday at the Queen of Apostles Chapel at Holy Apostles Seminary, Prospect Hill Road, Cromwell and lay in state until the celebration of a Memorial Liturgy at 1 p.m. Very Rev. Douglas L. Mosey, CSB, will be the Principal Celebrant, joined by fellow members of the M.S.A. community On Saturday at 9 a.m. his body will be received at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 67 West Town St., Lebanon and lay in state until the celebration of a Memorial Liturgy at 10 a.m. Rev. Fr. Brian J. Converse will be the Principal Celebrant. Following services in Connecticut, Father Adam's body will return to Aliquippa, PA. On Tuesday morning, his body will be received at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Parish followed by the celebration of the Funeral Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Fr. Howard W. Campbell, Pastor, will be the Principal Celebrant. Interment will follow in the family plot in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Aliquippa. Calling hours will be observed Monday evening from 5-8 p.m. at the Huntsman Funeral Home, 2345 Mill St., Aliquippa, PA. Memorial contributions for the establishment of a Confessional Fund at St. Francis of Assisi Parish may be sent to Rev. Fr. Brian J. Converse, Pastor, 67 West Town St., Lebanon 06249. Care of arrangements has been entrusted to the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.