Eliot Field died at home on the hilltop he loved, on May 26th, 2022. He was, and will always be, beloved for his sense of wonder. He inspired all those who knew and loved him to pay attention to the present moment to the miracles of life - from the way a cut heals, to the ability to climb a mountain, to the beautiful colors of a sunset, to the way a piece of music can transport us, to the simple joy of a conversation.
He was born in New York City in 1947, the second child of Charles Walker Field and Anne Eliot Field (Hiatt). He grew up on the banks of the Hudson River on the Palisades, in a house designed by his father. The Field family was known for tennis prowess and their parties; even childhood birthday parties involved parades.
Eliot always felt at home in the splendor of creation, mountains especially. He found much joy and lifelong friendships in his years at Colorado College. Following his graduation, he spent a year teaching before going to law school. He graduated from the Boston University School of Law in 1973. While there, he met the love of his life, Taffy. They married in December of 1973. Eliot began his legal career in the Maine Attorney General’s office. One day on his commute between Wiscasset and Augusta, he drove up Blinn Hill Road in Dresden. Captivated by the view from that hilltop, he and Taffy were determined to move there. Following training at The Shelter Institute, they built a passive solar home that stood for 40 years. Then the wonderful Hennins built a new post and beam house for them with a few more modern conveniences.
In the early 1980s, Eliot moved into private legal practice in Wiscasset, first with Soule, Soule, and Logan, and then into solo practice until he retired. He took the “counselor” part of “Attorney and Counselor at Law” very seriously. He was widely respected and valued in the midcoast community for his careful, diligent, and compassionate work. His practice focused mainly on real estate and municipal law. He served as the lawyer for multiple towns over the course of his career. He also shared his legal expertise, his knowledge of nonprofit governance, and his passion for teaching through long stints of volunteer work with Maine Audubon, the Morris Farm, The Episcopal Church (particularly St. John’s in Dresden; St. Philips in Wiscasset; and the Cathedral of St. Luke in Portland).
When he was not dictating letters or legal briefs, he could generally be found outside somewhere. His endless patience and love of all things athletic combined to make him a teacher and coach for his children, Jesse (born 1976) and Molly (born 1980), particularly on tennis courts, ski slopes, and soccer fields. He also shared his passions with many nieces and nephews and many friends. His athletic aptitude meant that he won the Dresden Open Mixed Doubles tournament on an annual basis, but the championship trophy always went to his mother, Nancy, for teaching him everything he knew.
He loved travel and outdoor adventure. He climbed the Grand Teton three times. Rafted down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon four times. His passion for photography has left an enormous number of photos, slides, and super 8 movies of these and countless other adventures. Even in recent years when Parkinson’s Disease limited his physical mobility, his spirit of adventure and joy for life remained undiminished. He navigated the challenges of the disease with characteristic grace and good humor. To the end of his earthly pilgrimage, he continued to inspire those around him to be present to the beauty of each moment, and never to take the gifts of life for granted. His beloved family and friends will carry that inspiration with them for years to come.
He was predeceased by his parents, his step-father, Robert Hiatt, and his brother Sam. He is survived by his wife, his children and their families; his sisters - Cally, Rebecca, and Rosamond - and a gaggle of beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at St Luke's at 10am on Friday, May 27th. The bulletin is here. The livestream is available here: https://video.ibm.com/channel/
Funeral arrangements were made by Daigle in Bath. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Michael J. Fox Foundation and CHANS Hospice.
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