Edward Lawrence Dillman

Edward Lawrence Dillman, 81, of Cheshire, beloved husband of Susan Dillman, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2025 with his wife and children by his side. He was born on January 2, 1944 in New Haven, to the late Irwin and Mildred Dillman. He was predeceased his by brother Walter Dillman.

Along with his heartbroken wife, Ed leaves behind daughters Tracy Johnston and her husband Bill of Scituate Massachusetts, Becky Fish and her husband Brian of North Falmouth Massachusetts, as well as other family members who were very special to him, including his cousin Pattie Dallai whom he was close to his entire life. His pride and joy were his grandchildren Abbey, Billy and Austin. They adored their Pappy, and he adored them.

Ed and Susan were soulmates, totally devoted to each other from the first to the last day of their 40 years together. They met at SNET, where they both worked for many years, and were fortunate to be able to retire early. They had a shared love of many things and enjoyed nothing more than doing them together. Spending the entire day working in their yard and then relaxing on their porch rockers enjoying a glass of wine and listening to the many birds that frequented their gardens was a top 10 day for them. Equally wonderful was spending the day at the beach and watching the sunset. Their first vacation together was in Antigua, they returned annually for 25 years and enjoyed many Antiguan sunsets together. In later years they enjoyed beaches and sunsets in Newport, Rhode Island and Naples, Florida. Ed especially enjoyed touring gardens in London, Paris, Giverny and the Cotswolds when they traveled to Europe.

Nothing made Ed happier than spending days with his grandkids, whether it be at his home, their homes, or on vacation. The best vacation ever was the year the entire family celebrated Thanksgiving at Disney and Universal. Pappy enjoyed every second of it, including relentless teasing from his grandkids about him being too ‘wimpy’ to ride even the smallest roller coaster. Because he would do anything for them, he finally put his fear aside and rode the Seven Dwarves Mine Train and Splash Mountain.

Ed loved anything and everything related to gardening. After retiring he was able to spend even more time tending to his beautiful yard and gardens. He planted a pollinator garden and grew numerous trees from small seedlings he found around the yard, carefully nurturing them until they were large enough to give away. His legacy will live on as the countless Kousa dogwoods he shared with family and friends bloom each spring.

Every summer Ed and Susan traveled to Scituate Massachusetts to spend a week or two volunteering at a watersports program that makes it possible for kids with special needs to have the time of their lives learning to paddleboard, sail, canoe and even windsurf. Those wishing to make a donation can honor Ed by contributing to a special Go Fund Me that will be used to bring this program back again next summer. To learn about this wonderful program or to donate please click HERE.

In keeping with Ed’s wishes, services will be private at the convenience of his family.