Edward J. Dimmock
Hebron — Edward J. Dimmock, 85, of Hebron, formerly of Colchester and Waterford, passed peacefully from this life Dec. 11, 2022. Edward was born Oct. 10, 1937, the second of eight children of the late Harold and Beatrice Dimmock. Life on Dimmock’s Dairy was an important part of his upbringing. After finishing high school, Ed graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1961.
While at the academy, Edward often brought other cadets to his family home in Waterford. One of those cadets was Joseph Polonko, who introduced him to his sister, Julia, fondly known as Cookie. The rest, as they say, is history. Ed and Cookie celebrated their 59th anniversary this past April.
After serving on a Coast Guard icebreaker on the Great Lakes and as a commander of Long-Range-Aid-to-Navigation stations overseas, Ed left the Coast Guard and worked at Terry Steam Turbines and Merrill Lynch. Though he was an incredibly hard worker, his passions lay elsewhere — in nature, sports and his family. Ed had an abiding love for animals and the outdoors. He was an avid birdwatcher, a vegetarian and an original member of the Dimmock Big Day bird count. Ed and his family discovered Bar Harbor when he turned 70, and he traveled there six times, enjoying hiking, the scenery, the animals and the company. When he was no longer able to hike, he enjoyed rides in the countryside, especially when he could see birds or other animals.
Ed was a fantastic football player, serving as captain of the Coast Guard team. He relished playing for, and then working as a graduate coach, under famed coach and NFL Hall of Famer, Otto Graham; and Ed spoke proudly of the team’s undefeated season and trip to the Tangerine
Bowl. He was also an expert skier and sailor, played tennis several times a week until he was 80, rowed crew for decades and competed in marathons and triathlons. In addition, he traveled the world, hiking in Alaska, Peru, Patagonia, Kenya, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, Vermont and New Hampshire (even climbing Mount Washington in February!). Not only did Ed play many sports, he also followed many sporting events, including those of his children. He was a passionate follower of UConn basketball, both the men and the women. He took great delight in their successes and lamented the end of the season every April. In his spare time, he carved wooden sculptures, made terrariums and painted.
Ed and his family lived for 49 years in Colchester on 20 acres of wooded property. He cleared and maintained trails, often training on them for longer hikes and leading his family and other visitors on walks. That property was also home over the years to his daughters’ pony, some chickens and several cats that Ed adored.
A devout Roman Catholic, Ed was a profoundly honest, generous and decent person. He is survived by his loving wife Julia, his daughters, Susan and Julie; his son-in-law Bill; his sisters, Dorothy, Carol and Mary; his brothers, Ray and Albert; his sister-in-law Joyce; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughters, Darcy and Jacqueline; his brothers,
Henry and Richard; and his brother-in-law Joseph, who died in Vietnam.
Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, New London. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to whatever charity touches your soul. Please visit www.Byles.com to sign the guestbook, share a memory or for directions.