VASSALBORO – Edward T. Wells, 68, of Oak Grove Road, died June 20, 2006, surrounded by his family, at his home, after a long illness. He was born June 15, 1938, in Essex, N.Y., the son of Dennis T. Sr. and Anna (McCarthy) Wells. Ed was raised on the dairy farm where he was born and graduated from Willsboro Central High School in 1956. He later attended Rivier College in Nashua, N.H. From 1956 to 1967, he was a member of the active U.S. Army Reserves in upstate New York and attained the rank of sergeant first class. He worked for many years in the mining industry, both in upstate New York and in Maine. After a 26-year career with the U.S. Department of Labor, he retired June 2000, as an assistant area director for the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. For many years, until 1996, Ed was a member of Toastmasters International, having held several club offices, including president, as well as serving as district treasurer. He was a member of the Vassalboro Historical Society and was most recently serving on its board of directors. He was also a member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Vassalboro and the Kennebec Valley YMCA in Augusta. Ed is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jane (White) Wells of Vassalboro; two daughters, Donna Wells and her husband, Jeffrey Kelley, of Roslindale, Mass. and Ellen Wells of Manchester; three brothers, Thomas Wells of Willsboro, N.Y., Joseph Wells and his wife, Tammy, of Columbus, Ohio, and Bernard Wells of Madisonville, Ky.; two sisters, Margaret Daby and her husband, Charles, of Lake Placid, N.Y. and Ann Marie Surprenant and her husband, William, of North Bangor, N.Y.; a granddaughter, Shawna Wells of Hallowell; and a great-granddaughter, Quinn Cotnoir of Hallowell; a special nephew, Travis Wells and his wife, Peggy and children, Mason and Mataya of Fort Stewart, Ga.; an aunt, Sister Mary Emerita of Lake Placid, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Dennis T. Wells Jr. Ed will be remembered for his love of life and the outdoors, as well as his devotion to his family, many friends and community. His kindness, sense of fairness and ability to laugh at himself endeared him to all who knew him. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11 a.m. Friday, June 23, at St. Francis Catholic Church, 52 Elm St., Waterville. Burial will be at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove Street, Waterville after the Mass. After the funeral Mass and burial, a celebration of Ed’s life will be held at St. Francis Church Hall, 50 Elm St., Waterville. All friends and relatives are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Vassalboro Historical Society, P.O. Box 62, East Vassalboro, ME 04935 or the Kennebec Valley YMCA, 33 Winthrop St., Augusta, ME 04330. www.khrfuneralhomes.com
EDWARD T. WELLS
