Jon T. Hirschoff, 74, died peacefully at his home in Bethany, CT on May 21, after almost seven years of living with non-smoker lung cancer.

Jon was born in Minneapolis, MN. A graduate of Stanford University and the Yale Law School, Jon clerked for the Hon. J. Joseph Smith on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He became a partner in the law firm of Tyler Cooper & Alcorn of New Haven in 1977, leaving to join Finn Dixon & Herling of Stamford as a partner in 2002. At his death, he was counsel to Finn Dixon.

Prior to joining Tyler Cooper as a partner, he was on the faculty of the Indiana School of Law in Bloomington, IN. While practicing law, he taught courses at Yale Law School and Quinnipiac University School of Law. He was an active member of the American Bar Association's Mergers and Acquisitions Committee. He made significant contributions to scholarship in tort law and corporate law.

Jon served as a board member and as president of the Neighborhood Music School, Whitney Center, and the New Haven Lawn Club. Most recently, he was on the board of the Long Wharf Theatre. He was secretary of Benchers, a group of leading judges, law professors and practicing lawyers who meet regularly to present and discuss papers on issues concerning the law.

His special joys were reading and discussing books, playing the piano, and attending concerts, plays and the opera. He also enjoyed wine tasting in California and visiting Italy and France.

He was a devoted husband to Mary-Michelle (Mikey) Upson Hirschoff for almost 52 years, as well as a proud and loving father, grandfather and brother. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind his daughter Aliina Hirschoff Hopkins and her husband Tim Hopkins of West Hartford, his son Jonathan Fineas (Fin) Hirschoff of Bethany, his granddaughter Margaret (Maggie) Maija Kinabrew, his sister Paula Hirschoff and her husband Chuck Ludlam of Washington, DC, and his sister Taya Mergott of Spicer, MN. He was predeceased by his parents Marie LaBelle and Edwin C. Hirschoff and his sister Heidi Hirschoff of Minneapolis and by his brother-in-law Jim Mergott of Spicer, MN.

The family welcomes contributions to the Jon T. Hirschoff Scholarship Fund at the Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT, 06510 or to the Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT, 06511. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 25 at 3:00 pm at the Long Wharf Theatre.