HARTLAND FOUR CORNERS, VT — Edward “Nip” Hadlock, 87, died Sunday, July 5, 2020 at the VA Hospital in White River Junction, VT. He was born on November 17, 1932 in Hanover, NH to the late Ceylon & Gertrude (Rigney) Hadlock. He graduated from Hanover High School, Class of 1951. Nip excelled in many sports, and was captain of the football team.
Edward met Marie “Dolly” Driscoll in 1978 and were married on October 24, 1981. They enjoyed 42 wonderful years together.
Edward was a US Air Force Korean War Veteran. After his military service he worked as a mason and as a foreman for Ware Construction. Ed’s masonry expertise and leadership played an important part in the construction of many buildings at Dartmouth College, including the Hopkins Center for the Arts, in the Upper Valley and around New England.
Ed sustained a major stroke at age 37, which left him with extremely limited speech capability and paralysis of his right arm and leg. Always a remarkable fighter and survivor, he learned to walk, speak, swim, hunt, and fish again. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted and fished the woods and waters of Vermont, New Hampshire and Florida. Ed developed an independence and lifestyle most thought was impossible.
After the difficult recovery and adaptation, Ed became someone who moved beyond the reputation of physical capability and toughness to a life that was remarkable in his willingness and ability to offer strength, support and wisdom to his family, friends, recovering alcoholics, and most anyone he encountered.
As a young father, he volunteered with the Lebanon Little League, the CCB, and with Storrs Hill. Most notably, he volunteered to lead the construction of a warming and snack hut at Storrs Hill and an equipment storage garage at Eldridge Park. As a stepfather, he enjoyed participating in football games, swim meets, afternoon swims at the beach and all sporting events. He was always there for a good cheer.
In 1981 Edward, Dolly and family moved to Florida where he continued his humble approach and the pleasure of the simple things in life. He enjoyed walks on the beach, long swims in the ocean and most especially sunsets in the water. He loved gardening and watching the birds. He accumulated thousands of hours of volunteer work with the VA in White River Junction, VT and the VA in Bay Pines, FL forming enduring friendships around the Upper Valley and in Florida. Ed’s conversations were frequently punctuated by his signature laugh. Oh that laugh! Ed’s laugh. Nip’s Laugh. Grampa’s laugh, Pop-Pop’s laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Marie “Dolly” Hadlock, his children Marjorie &Timothy Godfrey, Burton & Jane Murphy, Pippa & James Crudele, his stepchildren Yvonne Martin, Dawn Rafus, Suzanne Rafus, Matthew Rafus, Michael & Kristen Rafus, Kara & Brett Mace, his grandchildren Elizabeth Godfrey, Jenna Godfrey, Margaret Hadlock, Jessica Hadlock, Joshua Hadlock, Nolan Crudele, Caroline Crudele, Thomas Crudele, Ryan Martin, Kelly Moynahan, Kerry McCulloch, Danielle Rafus, Matthew Rafus, Cody Mace, and his great grandchildren Declan Welch, Killian Welch and Emma Bonner.
He is predeceased by his brother Norman “Hunka” Hadlock and his sister Patricia Mulherin.
Funeral services are pending and will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Hartland Rescue Squad, In Memory of Edward Hadlock, P.O. Box 403, Hartland, Vermont 05048.
An online guest book is available to leave Edwards family a message of condolence by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com