OWLS HEAD — Howard Edwards Sr., 90, passed away peacefully July 21, 2015, at the Knox Center for Long Term Care. Born in Rockland on July 31, 1924, he was the son of Edwin and Corinne (Howard) Edwards.

He was a 1942 graduate of Rockland High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army following graduation. Howard was in the 733rd Field Artillery Battalion serving under General George Patton. He fought in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. Following the end of World War II he returned to Rockland and married Vivian Hussey on Nov. 17, 1946.

He worked many years for his father at Edwards Ice Cream, eventually assuming ownership in the 1960s. Howard served many years on the Board of Directors for Rockland Savings and Loan Association. He was a lifelong member of the Elks Club, and was a member of the Masons and the American Legion.

Howard was an avid deer hunter and also enjoyed moose, raccoon and duck hunting.

The Edwards family expresses their grateful appreciation for the loving care provided by all the staff at the Knox Center.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Edwin R. Edwards Jr.; and two brothers-in-law. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Vivian Edwards of Owls Head; his sons, Howard (Ruth-Ann) Edwards Jr. of Rockland, and Philip (Trudie) Edwards of Fayetteville, N.C.; and a daughter, Patricia (Sasha) Edwards of Virginia Beach, Va.; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Edwards, Ainsley Coll, Jared (Melissa) Edwards and Duane (Christina) Edwards; three step-grandchildren, Jayden Edwards, Steven Smith and Tammy (Wally) Dairo; four great-grandchildren, Brianna, Sarah and Hannah Edwards, and McKenna Coll; seven step-great-grandchildren, Kristen Savage, Z. Graham Elderman, Tavey Rae Elderman, Dominic Dairo, Selena Dairo and Ifeoluwa Dairo; two sisters, Nathalie Nicholas of Owls Head and Corinne Stevens of Falmouth; his sister-in-law, Barbara Edwards of Ballina, Australia; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. at Achorn Cemetery on Old County Road in Rockland. A reception will follow at the Rockland Lodge of Elks, 210 Rankin St. in Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Maine, 383 U.S. Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.