Rev. Elwood L. Babbin, 87, of Waterford, CT died peacefully on Tuesday December 30 at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. He was born November 4, 1927 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the son of the late Walter Babbin and Mary Elizabeth Fowler Babbin. He was predeceased by his brother Walter and sister Lila.
“Woody”, as he was known to his many friends, was called to the Christian ministry in his late teens. He graduated from the Providence Bible Institute (later Barrington College), from Boston University with a Master’s degree, majoring in History and Religious Studies. He also attended the Southern Baptist Seminary, the Hartford Seminary Foundation. Further graduate study was done at Boston University, at Cambridge University in Great Britain, and Heidelberg University of Germany. During his year abroad Rev. Babbin traveled extensively in Europe and the Holy Lands.
Rev. Babbin’s early ministry was in several Baptist churches, beginning in Norwich, CT. Other churches were in Rhode Island and Connecticut. In all, he spent over thirty years in the pastorate. His love of the New Testament and the history of the Christian church led to a ten year career of teaching at Barrington College (now Gordon College) in Rhode Island.
Rev. Babbin is survived by his wife Kirsten Wallgren Babbin, his children, Matthew Babbin, of Avon, Donna Babbin, of New Hartford, Kelley Babbin, of Winsted, David and Margarita Babbin, of Farmington, Deborah and Michael Damen, of Chicago and stepchildren, Tad and Jill Kennedy of Groton and Sarah and Hank Pinkowski of Spencer, MA. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Rev. Babbin was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Niantic. Woody served as an assistant chaplain at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital and as a Hospice Chaplain. He also organized and led a number of study groups both among fellow clergy and at St. John’s Church. He was a lifelong sports fan of all the Boston sports teams, and especially his beloved Red Sox. He also spent his latter years following national and world politics and the growth and development of his family.
A Memorial Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated on Saturday, January 3, at 11:00am at St. John's Episcopal Church, 400 Main Street in Niantic. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations in Woody’s memory to St. John’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 400 Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357 or Boston University School of Theology, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
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