General Theological Seminary

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IN MEMORIAM: Edward Coolidge ’63

The Rev. Edward "Ted" Cole Coolidge, Class of 1963, of Cromwell, Connecticut, husband of the late Joy (Searle) Coolidge, died April 5, 2022 at Middlesex Hospital at the age of 92.  Born in 1929 in Beverly, MA, the fourth of four children, he was the son of the late William and Eleanor (Cole) Coolidge. Raised in the Episcopal Church. Coolidge's education included St. Paul's School in Concord, NH, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (Bachelor's Degree), Union Theological Seminary, NYC (Master of Divinity), with additional Anglican Studies at General and Society of St. John the Evangelist, Cambridge, MA, Spiritual Director Training Program. 

During this time, Coolidge married Joy Searle in 1952 and they had four children. His Ministerial Roles were in 1955 Ordained Minister in the Presbyterian Church, Allegany, NY, in 1961 Ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church, Hartford, CT and 1963 Ordained Priest in the Episcopal Church, New Haven, CT.

Coolidge service over the years included Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Allegany, NY, Chaplain, The Gunnery School, Washington, CT, Associate Rector, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, New Haven, CT, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church, Middle Haddam, CT, Director of Program Development, Community Action for Greater Middletown, Member of the Middlesex Area Ministry Team, Associate Rector, Church of the Holy Trinity, Middletown, CT, Retired, Senior Mentor, Annand Program for Spiritual Growth at Yale/Berkeley Divinity Schools,  Contractual Ministries as spiritual director, retreat leader, chair of the (Connecticut) Bishop's Convocation for Prayer, and assisting priest at Church of the Holy Trinity in Middletown, CT.

In 1978-1998, Coolidge was a co-founder of Hie Hill Community in Westbrook, CT. In 2008, he moved to Covenant Village of Cromwell where occasionally he was involved in pastoral ministries including spiritual direction, and member and chair of spiritual life committee. Ted is survived by two sons, John Coolidge and his wife Maureen of Newburyport, MA and Peter Coolidge and his wife Sharon of East Longmeadow, MA; two daughters, Karen Cornelio and her husband Robert of East Hampton and Joan Coolidge and her husband Kurt Flesher of Cincinnati, OH; nine grandchildren, Austin, Ramsey, Kathryn, Kallen, Kate, Jillian, Bobby, Peter, and Nicole and six great grandchildren. Along with his wife and parents, Ted was predeceased by his brother, William Coolidge, Jr. and two sisters, Eleanor Chapman and Mary Campbell. A memorial service was held on Saturday, April 9th  at 2:00 pm at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main Street, Middletown.

To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

From an obituary published by Hartford Courant on Apr. 7, 2022.