NEWPORT – Edward F. Colson, 91, died Sept. 28, 2011, at Togus Veterans Affairs Center after a long battle with kidney disease. Ed was born Sept. 21, 1920, in Milltown, son of James and Alice (Denyer) Colson.
He was a graduate of Calais Academy. Ed married Irene Tuttle, Dec. 24, 1946, in Newport. A U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, Ed retired as a senior master sergeant from the Air Force after 24 years of service. He also served three years in the National Guard. During his time in the Air Force he was stationed in Iceland, Thailand, the Netherlands and several other places throughout the U.S. After his retirement from the Air Force, Ed was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a postal clerk in Albuquerque, N.M., for 12 years. Ed and Irene moved back to Newport in 1993. Ed was a member of the Air Force Association. He attended High Street Congregational Church, Newport.
Ed is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Irene E. Colson of Newport; two sons, Joseph E. Colson of Albuquerque, N.M., and Rick A. Colson and his wife, Gwen, of Oakland; one daughter, Carol A. Haddix of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; one brother and his wife, Kenneth and Edith Colson of Calais; seven grandchildren, Cheryl, Debbie, Doug, Richard, Keith, Christopher and Bradley; six great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Gary; a brother, Roy; and three sisters, Vera, Margaret and Lillian.
Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, 34 High St., Newport, where funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, with Pastor Al Worden officiating. Burial with military honors will be conducted noon Monday, Oct. 3, at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Friends who wish may make memorial donations to Newport Community Food Bank, 26 High St., Newport, ME 04953. To sign an online guest book and leave written condolences, please visit
www.PhilipBrownFuneralHome.com.