PRESQUE ISLE – Edwin G. Packard, 89, passed away Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at his residence. He was born July 23, 1920, in Presque Isle, the son of Harvey and Mazie (Parker) Packard. Ed was proud to be a graduate of Presque Isle High School and helped organize many reunions. He was an all star pitcher and left fielder from 1941 to 1948 in the Aroostook Baseball League. He served as a coxwain in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946, in Palermo, Sicily. During his service, Ed also pitched for the U.S. Navy on its European Team. During this time, Ed married Virginia Berkenbush, June 8, 1946, in Pittsburgh. He was a member of the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, Live Wire Club, Aroostook Union Grange, SAD 1 School Board, charter member of Presque Isle Country Club, Presque Isle Rotary, was chairman of Rotary Auction, was awarded the Paul Harris and Provas awards, as well as being named Outstanding Presque Isle Citizen Award. Ed was a member of Legion Post No. 88, past post and county commander, Legion baseball coach, state bowling chair, organizer of memorial parades and honorary parade marshall. He was employed by Maine Mutual for 36 years as an underwriter and vice president. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and served on the parish council. Ginny and Ed enjoyed 27 winters in Sebastian, Fla. Dad taught us all to be proud of being from Aroostook, to eat Maine potatoes and to work hard at whatever we do. Dad enjoyed his family and was proud of their academic and athletic accomplishments. He rarely missed an event his children and grandchildren participated in. Ed enjoyed playing golf, bowling, teaching his grandchildren to hit balls and play golf, and teaching us how to play many card games. He is survived by his wife with whom he shared 63 years of marriage, Virginia; and two daughters, Judy Kenney and her husband, Maylen, of Castle Hill and their children, Mark, Stacey and her husband, Leif and their children, Emily and Joshua; and Gloria Sirois and her husband, Lewis, of Ellsworth and their children, Michael and his wife, Meghan, and Kathleen. Ed also leaves behind two sisters-in-law, Gloria Kelley and Almira Packard; as well as special neighbors, Roberta and Chrissy. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by siblings, Dana Packard and Dorothy Murphy; and brother-in-law, Tom Kelley. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Presque Isle, with the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie, celebrant. Friends may call 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A reception will be held immediately after the service at the Knights of Columbus. A committal service with military honors will be conducted after the reception at the Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, Caribou. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Building Fund, 6 Roberts St., Presque Isle, ME 04769 or to Hospice of Aroostook. Arrangements in care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncangraves.com.
EDWIN GEORGE PACKARD
