A prominent Danbury resident has passed away.  Ervie "Bud" Hawley owned the Hawley Companies and was known for his philanthropy, particularly to Danbury Hospital.  Hawley was 89.

Mayor Mark Boughton says Hawley was one of the kindest, most gentle people he's ever met and has contributed a lot to building Danbury.  He says Hawley's philanthropy work around Danbury is long storied, but he was also always there with an idea, a word of encouragement or with resources. 

Hawley has been donating to Danbury Hospital since 1965.  In August, the Hawleys made a $1 million gift to establish an endowment for spinal surgery, the seventh for Western Connecticut Health Network and the fifth at Danbury Hospital.

Hawley has served as director of the YMCA, was a former chairman of the Danbury Housing Partnership, a previous director of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, and former honorary chairman of the Ann Olsen Foundation Golf Tournament among other roles.

Some of the more notable works of Hawley Construction include the Danbury Police Station and Berkshire Shopping Center off Newtown Road.  Hawley also completed several religious facility projects.

Since 1994, the firm has completed multiple construction assignments at both Western Connecticut State University’s Westside and the Midtown Campuses.  Hawley has renovated the main entrance at the Midtown Campus, completed a $1.8 million Ella Grasso Dormitory rejuvenation at the Westside Campus, dormitory renovations at Litchfield Hall, and the new Athletic Pavilion at the Westside Campus.