Michael Terrence Hallaran obituary

#Middlebury

Michael Terrence Hallaran of Middlebury, known as Terry, was born April 25, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio. He died peacefully on August 7, 2020, at the age of 73 at home in Middlebury surrounded by his loving family. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012.

Terry was the son of Mary Louise Garfield Hallaran and Dr. William Richard Hallaran from Cleveland, Ohio. His brother, William Garfield Hallaran, died in 1989. He is survived by his sister, Sarah Hallaran Gramentine of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and her family. Terry’s wife of 50 years is Alice Kellogg Hallaran. They have two children, Katherine Kellogg Hallaran of Washington, D.C., and Thomas Patrick Hallaran and his wife, Clare Conway Sullivan, and two grandchildren of Madison, Wisconsin.

Terry attended Hawken School in Cleveland, Ohio and received a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University, majoring in ethnomusicology. Music and language were always a central part of Terry’s life. He studied violin at an early age, sang in Wesleyan’s glee club, participated in the Indian music program, and was a member of the Javanese Gamelan.

After graduating in 1969, Terry spent the summer learning Sanskrit and then enlisted in the Army and was admitted to the Defense Language Institute. He and Alice were married in Connecticut in 1970 while he was stationed in Monterey, California. Terry served in Vietnam from 1970-1971 as a Vietnamese translator. Upon return, he spent two years studying sciences at his alma mater with the intention of going to medical school but ended up discovering his love for physics.

He and his wife Alice spent 40 years teaching and raising their family at Westover School in Middlebury, Connecticut. Terry coached soccer and taught physics and astronomy. In 1989, Terry and his family lived in Tamil Nadu, India, where he and his wife taught sciences at the Kodaikanal International School. Upon return to Westover, Terry became director of studies and continued his teaching career.

Terry’s love of music was a theme throughout his life. At Westover, he was a member of the concert choir and participated in many musical productions, including “The Fantasticks” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” He was one of the founding members of the Everyman Guild that performed early music locally. For over 30 years Terry studied viola da gamba at Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, Connecticut, under the instruction of Grace Feldman.

Terry was known for his wisdom, passion for learning, and love of Bach. He was well-read in the philosophy and history of science and enjoyed camping, hiking, canoeing, and cooking. Over the years, Terry enjoyed scuba diving and horseback riding trips with his family to destinations that became beloved.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a gathering to celebrate Terry’s life will take place at a future date. In lieu of flowers, to honor Terry’s memory, donations may be made to Neighborhood Music School – https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1392661?code=Covid%25.