Stedman George Stearns

Stedman George Stearns, 93, of Mansfield, husband of the late Miriam (Hawkins) Stearns, passed away at Hartford Hospital on Friday, June 4, 2010. Stedman was born in Mansfield on January 2, 1917, the son of Alice J. and Robert E. Stearns. Stedman retired from the Town of Bloomfield in 1982 as Tax Collector. He also served in the same capacity for the Town of Mansfield previous to that. He was compassionate and fair, yet, for several years running, he had the best collection record in the State of Connecticut. He was a Past President of the Connecticut Tax Collectors Association. He was a member of the Hiram Lodge #98 in Bloomfield and Hesper Chapter #71, Order of the Eastern Star, in Green Valley, AZ. Stedman enjoyed spending summers at Chrystal Pond and was an avid water skier well into his 60's. Stedman with his wife of 65 years, Miriam, traveled annually to Green Valley, AZ, where they enjoyed many years of living in the desert. Stedman continued to live there following Miriam's passing in 2003. He relocated back to his roots in Mansfield at age 92, with one last trip to AZ at the end of that year. Stedman was devoted to his family; his daughter Vera of Storrs, his son Carroll and wife Nancy and his two beloved grandchildren, Carolyn and Michael, all of Manchester. He will be missed greatly by his family, by his special friend Dorothy Jenson of Montana and by other old time friends. He is also survived by his brother Theodore W. Stearns of North Windham, numerous nieces and nephews. His Funeral Service will be Monday at 12:00 p.m. noon at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, at the junction of Rte. 195 and Rte. 89 in Mansfield Center. Burial will follow in the Mansfield Center Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are through the Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.