A Celebration of Life honoring the memory of former Middlefield First Selectman Ed Bailey will be held Sunday, April 23, 2 p.m., at Peckham Park.

Bailey died Dec. 8, 2021 not long after being reelected to a new term. The 66-year-old had served as first selectman since 2015.

Celebration of Life attendees are invited to share stories about Bailey and what he meant to the Middlefield community.

In an email to the Town Times, local chaplain Lisa Irish said, “What we are doing is ‘enfranchising our grief,’ which is a concept in bereavement theory that is needed now, more than ever. Our gathering will be a Celebration of Life, because while we grieve Ed’s passing, we are celebrating the Gift that he was to the town of Middlefield.”

Prior to becoming first selectman, Bailey served on the board for six years.

A Dec. 9, 2021 press release from the Town of Middlefield announcing Bailey’s passing stated, in part, “He helped Middlefield to thrive and improve the lives of all its citizens. A mariner at heart, he navigated our town through many challenges; the great recession, COVID-19 pandemic, always with an optimistic outlook for the future of our town.”

Those planning to attend the April 23 Celebration of Life are asked to RSVP to celebrate@middlefield.org or 860-968-7028.