Obituary of Clarence E Hazelton

Hazelton, Clarence “Ed”, 74, of Somers, NY, died peacefully on July 31, 2019 at Westchester Medical Center.  Ed was born in White Plains, NY, on September 12, 1944 to the late Clarence and Katherine Hazelton.

Ed Hazelton’s daughter liked to tease her father about his love of rocks—he always had at least one stone in his pocket, chosen for its smooth surface or unique coloration, and on his walks, he was always looking to spot another “special” one, often collecting far too many along the way.   He positioned stones around his garden and on his bookshelves.  At the Cape, he was more interested in collecting beach stones than in swimming.

But his passion for stones extended to all things of the natural world—animals, plants, fossils, stars, planets.  In his thirty-four years as a biology teacher at White Plains High School, Ed shared his love of science with countless students.  His career did not end when he retired; whenever his granddaughters asked him about plants, he often provided way too much information.

Ed had many other passions, including his cats, travel, food and wine, art, theatre, music and opera, golf.  But above all, he loved his family; his wife, Nancy, and his daughter, Heather, were his joy.  Heather and John Hamelin’s daughters, Claire and Olivia, teased him like their mother had, and he loved them for that.  John and Ed shared many interests: music, books, politics, cooking, wine.

In addition to his many friends, Ed leaves behind a large family:  his brother, Roger (Laurie); his sisters-in-law Patsy (Skip); Carol; Peggy (Anthony); Dorothy (Bobby); and Anne (Len); his brothers-in-law Jay (Kathy); and Richard (Norma); and many nieces and nephews. Ed will be immeasurably missed by all.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 2nd from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Clark Associates Funeral Home, Katonah, NY. A celebration of Ed’s life will be held on Saturday, August 3rd at 11:00 am at Clark Associates Funeral Home.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Putnam Humane Society Inc, PO Box 297, Carmel, NY 10512.