APPLETON — Edward Parra, 73, passed away on Oct. 24, 2016, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, after suffering a cardiac event that morning, with his family by his side.

Born in Las Cruses, N.M., on Oct. 15, 1943, he was the son of Ramona Misquez.

After several years together, on March 28, 1982, he married Mary Joan MacIntosh Lemar in Camden at their home on Cross Street. In 2008, they moved to Chaples Road in Appleton to be closer to his mother-in-law.

Eddie was a very talented boat builder, working for many boat building companies over the years, including Lincoln Canoe, North End Marine, Maine Catamarans, York Marine and Back Cove Yachts to name a few. He could do anything with fiberglass. His work can be seen throughout the area. He also built an ice shack for his son and grandson, and one of his greatest loves was building sleds and giving them to kids to enjoy or for nonprofits to raffle... always with a warning to be careful, “they are fast!”

Probably one of Eddie's greatest loves and passions was being an umpire, #57. For generations, he has umpired all over the state. He has been the Umpire in Chief for District 2 Little League, which includes Knox, Lincoln and Waldo counties. He assisted the district administrator, and umpired for all ages and levels of baseball and softball. In the month of July, doing 12-20 games a week at his own expense at all levels of play, Eddie was one of the most respected umpires in the State of Maine for Little League. He was thrilled and honored when he was chosen to umpire the Senior World Series in Delaware, 11-12 Little League Softball in Upper New York and also umpired Little League in Maryland. It was a dream come true. He also went to Fenway Park and umpired four games of Fantasy Baseball with Dr. Michael Marden, Dana Verge and Jimmy Watts. According to District Administrator Dana Verge, there is no way to replace a person like Eddie in Little League and he will be missed by all.

In addition to his mother and other family, Eddie was predeceased by his brother, Henry. He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Joan; a son, Thomas Parra and his wife, Stacey, and their son, Wyatt, of Lincolnville; a stepson, who he thought of as his own son, Brian Lemar and his wife, Danielle, and their children, Brian and Landon of Searsmont; and his children from a previous marriage, Charlotte Lemar of Portland and Elizabeth Lemar of Searsmont; his grandchildren, Stephanie Lemar and her three children, Arthur, Nicholas and Acea, and Randy Lemar and his partner, Keshia Jameson, and their two children, Arianna and Kayleigh; and his two stepdaughters, Bonnie and Marie of California and their families; three brothers and three sisters, Johnny, Michael, Philip, Rosy, Cecilia and Virginia, all of California; as well as many extended family members.

The family wishes to acknowledge the many people who have shared stories and pictures of Eddie and have been good friends with him. He was especially close to Dr. Michael Marden, Dana Verge and Billy Stuart through his umpiring career, and we thank them for their friendship, especially during these last few months.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St. in Camden. Interment will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Youngtown Cemetery on Camden Street in Lincolnville. A reception will follow at 4 p.m. at the Lincolnville Community Building 18 Searsmont Road in Lincolnville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Five Town Little League, P.O. Box 1426, Camden, ME 04843.