Edward Burchfield passed away on January 24, 2021 at his home here in Hampton surrounded by family. Born in Magnolia, Arkansas on August 13, 1955, he served twenty three years in the U. S. Navy Submarine Service, honorably discharged with the rank of TMC (SS), and was a member of the US Submarine Veterans in Groton.

An avid outdoorsmen, Ed was active in the Pomfret Rod & Gun Club and the Eastern CT Sportsman Club, where he assisted annually with the Kids’ Fishing Derby. He was also a State Fire Arms Instructor and enjoyed mentoring young and old alike. Here in Hampton, where he has resided for more than twenty years, Ed volunteered for several municipal offices and committees. He was a member, and Chairman, of the Recreation Commission, was elected to the Zoning Board of Appeals in 2005 and was its Chairman for several years, served as the Town’s Emergency Manager, and as a Constable from 2003 to 2009. As a State Certified Volume Reduction Facility Operator, he frequently assisted at the Transfer Station.

Ed will be remembered here for many reasons. At Town meetings, he was our parliamentarian. He always came equipped with Roberts Rules of Order and would refer to them when necessary. This was especially helpful during heated debates; Ed was usually the one who called “a point of order” when anyone stepped out of bounds, including public officials. Ever the patriot, Ed alerted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Naval Criminal Investigative Services after recognizing the photographs on a cell phone discarded at the Transfer Station as restricted areas of a submarine and a security breach, making Hampton national news in 2015. Under some administrations, Ed was “the Fourth Selectman”; as such, he listened to the views of townsfolk on a variety of issues – one of the most crucial aspects of making small town government run affectively, and with good will. Ed was accessible. One could always find him. An alarm sounded in Hampton among neighbors who grew concerned when they hadn’t seen Ed for a few weeks at the transfer station, where he was always eager to engage in conversation, respecting the opinions of people whether he shared them or not. Ed enjoyed the debate.

Ed was a good neighbor. He shared his expertise, his wisdom, his truck, his time, his opinions, his ear, and his hands whenever needed. A close friend of the legendary Paulie Tumel, Ed was the closest we’ll ever have to a “character” in our generation.
We’ll miss him. Our deepest condolences to his wife of forty years, Claire.

Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to the Eastern CT. Sportsman Club, P.O. Box 52, Ashford, CT 06278.