Hadleigh Hueston Howd

Hadleigh Hueston Howd, of Ocala, Florida, passed away on December 18, 2023, at the age of 81. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on February 19, 1942, to Judge Hadleigh H. Howd and Helen Griffin Howd, and raised in Winsted, Connecticut. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carolyn, and his brother-in-law, Wallace Schaefer.

Hadleigh received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964 from the University of Miami, and his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1967. Upon graduation from law school, he was quickly drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served for two years in Panama, and was honorably discharged. Upon his return to Hartford, Hadleigh practiced at the law firm of Regnier, Moller and Taylor.

In 1978, Hadleigh established his own trial practice, Howd and Ludorf, with Edward Ludorf. Hadleigh specialized in the rapidly growing field of product liability defense, representing major automobile and manufacturing companies. He purchased an 1885 building near the courthouse and renovated it into offices. During this time, Hadleigh earned Martindale-Hubbell’s most coveted AV rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Within 10 years, with his wife by his side, Hadleigh’s practice grew to over a dozen attorneys.

However, Miami beckoned, and so in 1988, Hadleigh and Carolyn sold their interests in Connecticut, and moved to Coral Gables, Florida. There, they built a stilt house off Biscayne Bay, and worked on boats. In August of 1992, the north eyewall of Hurricane Andrew, with sustained winds of 165 mph, passed directly over their house and their warehouse. The Category 5 hurricane devastated south Dade, and rebuilding took years.

Hadleigh had already lived through a similar disaster as a 13-year-old, when the Great Floods of 1955 destroyed his boyhood town of Winsted, as well as many towns in western Connecticut.

Several years ago, Hadleigh was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a rare inherited disorder, which affected his lungs. The frequent threats from hurricanes convinced Hadleigh and Carolyn to leave the tropics. After 33 years in Miami, they moved north to Ocala.

Heartfelt thanks go to the staff at Cates House hospice in Ocala, for their gentle care of Hadleigh and kindness toward Carolyn, and to very dear friends in Miami, the Diaz family, for their care and affection over the years.

You are welcome to make a donation to the charity of your choice in his name.