ORLAND – Edward Francis Bowden died Nov. 11, 2004, at a Bangor hospital after a brief illness. Ed was born Aug. 9, 1923, in Bucksport, the son of Thomas “Bill” Bowden and Lillian (Kimball) Bowden. Ed spent the early years of his life in Bucksport and then, at age 12, moved to Southwest Harbor with his mother and stepfather, Sam Black. In South-west, Ed made many wonderful life-long friends. He was a proud graduate of Pemetic High School, Class of 1943. Upon graduating from Pemetic, Ed went immediately into the U.S. Army. He served in the 71st Infantry Division and also as a medic in the 9th Infantry Division. In his three years of service, Ed saw action in France, Germany and Austria. His division helped liberate the concentration camp of Gunskirchen Lager near Lambach, Austria. Following his return from Europe, Ed enrolled at the University of Maine at Orono, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and graduated in 1950, as a physical education major. On Sept. 13, 1950, Ed married the love of his life, Bess Brawn, who predeceased him Aug. 28, 1999. Ed and Bess enjoyed 49 years of marriage, and they were both wonderful examples to their daughters and grandchildren. After graduation and marriage, Ed and Bess moved to New York where Ed pursued his Master’s degree in Education from Columbia University. He began his teaching career in the Pearl River, N.Y. school system, and continued to teach there for 29 years. Ed was a much loved and respected teacher, coach, and friend. In the summertime, when Ed wasn’t teaching, he worked tirelessly as a housepainter, a skill that he learned from his stepfather. Upon his retirement in 1980, Ed and Bess returned to their native Maine. In the years that followed, Ed enjoyed being an active participant in his grandchildren’s lives, cheering them on at their sporting events, traveling with them to Europe, giving them driving lessons, writing them daily while at Marine Boot Camp and later serving in Iraq, helping with Boy Scout Eagle projects, and offering continual encouragement in school and positive extracurricular activities including band and kickboxing. He lived life to its fullest. Ed was a participant in the East Orrington Congregational Church Monday Night Group, a friend of the Franklin Street United Methodist Church, and a cherished member of their Wednes-day night Bible Study group. He was also a driver for the Meals for ME program. Ed enjoyed making and bestowing medallions for people to say ‘Great job’ or ‘Hang in there, I care about you’. He got his strength in life from helping others, and he did this on a daily basis. Ed is survived by two beloved daughters, Laurie Bowden of Lumberton, N.J., and Carol Fuller and her husband, Sam Fuller Jr., of Stockton Springs. Ed was a much loved Papa to grandchildren, Steven Fuller of Gettysburg, Pa. Marine LCpl Matthew Bowden Trerotola, currently on active duty in Iraq, and his fianc?e, Amanda Trombetti, of Upper Darby, Pa., Michael Fuller of Smithfield, R.I., Jason Bowden Trerotola of Lumberton, N.J., and Sarah Fuller of Stockton Springs. Ed also leaves an aunt, Mildred Haskell and her husband, Ulysses; an uncle, Charles Kimball and his wife, Ethel, all of Bucksport; as well as cousins, Dianne Findlay and Donna Holmes, both of Bucksport, and Jean Bagley of Orland; two brothers-in-law, Frank Brawn of Patten and Jesse Heath of Sherman. Ed was a special uncle to many loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a special friend, Olive Kelley of Bass Harbor. A celebration of Ed’s life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27 at the Franklin Street United Methodist Church, Bucksport with Pastor Peter Remick officiating. A reception for family and friends will be held immediately afterwards at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to a scholarship fund for Pearl River High School students in Ed’s memory in care of Carol Fuller, 330 Cape Jellison Rd., Stockton Springs, ME 04981.
EDWARD FRANCIS BOWDEN
