PRESQUE ISLE – Edmund Craine, 83, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 9, 2009, at a Mars Hill health care facility. He was born Oct. 21, 1926, in Johnville, New Brunswick, the son of John and Rose (Dugan) Crain. Ed grew up in Johnville, New Brunswick, and began working in the Houlton area, training horses for the O’Donnell family. While there, he met the love of his life, Helen McGillicuddy and the two married in 1948. He was naturalized in 1951 and in 1955 the couple moved to Presque Isle, where he became the terminal manager for O’Donnell’s Trucking. He worked at O’Donnell’s, then Sanborn’s, which later became APA, for 40 years before retiring. After retirement, Ed dedicated his time to his family, his home and his numerous hobbies. He will be fondly remembered for his love of yard work and gardening, and spent countless hours tending his dahlias, glads and tulips. He was an avid fisherman and looked forward to fiddleheading each spring. He also enjoyed playing cards each week with “the guys.” Ed was a good friend to many and found joy in helping others. He loved people and never hesitated to introduce himself and strike up a conversation anywhere. He was also a member of St. Mary’ Catholic Church, Presque Isle. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen, in October. He is survived by four daughters and their husbands, Linda Libby and Floyd of Brewer, Nancy and Jerry Shea of Middlebury, Vt., Margaret and Kevin Griffeth of Portland, and Lorraine Riesold of South Portland; a son, Michael Craine and his wife, Deborah, of Hanahan, S.C.; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer Trombley, Lesley Gaudreau and her husband, Shawn, Jake Trombley, Sarah Mam, Julie Blount, John Shea and his wife, Nora, Danielle Riesold, Bennett Craine and his wife, Megan, and Griffin and Erin Craine; 13 great-grandchildren, Cameron, Hailey, Ryan, Lydia, Julia, Andrew, William, Adrian, Jaylen, Chloe, Gavin, Kinsley, and a very special great-granddaughter, Rachel; five sisters, Kay McQuade, Anita Crain, Connie Banks, Miriam Piercy and Ellie Kane; and one brother, Tom Crain, all of New Brunswick. He was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph and Clem Crain; and three sisters, Dorothy LeBlanc, Margaret Boyd and Mary Crain. Relatives and friends may call 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle, with the Very Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie, celebrant. Interment will be at Fairmount Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
EDMUND CRAINE
