UNION — Edwin L. Beckwith, Jr. “Ed”, 72, passed away peacefully at home on June 23, 2025 after a brief battle with cancer with his wife of 49 years, Laurie, at his side.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts on December 5, 1952, he was the son of Edwin Lawrence Beckwith and Jessica Victoria (Gardner) Beckwith. He grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts, and graduated from Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts in 1971. Ed earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1975. He earned a National Association Enrolled Agents certificate on June 26, 1986.

On June 20, 1976, Ed married the love of his life, Laurene “Laurie” Bourassa, in Littleton, Massachusetts. He and Laurie ultimately bought a small farm in Union, Maine where they built a magical life together raising many feline companions, expanding the apple orchard on the property, growing their own vegetables, and renovating the old farm house until his passing.

Ed was a proud and very active member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, based in the Rockland congregation for 37 years.

Ed started his career at the New Bedford Institute for Savings in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He and Laurie moved to Maine in 1977 where Ed enjoyed a varied career, first in banking and business followed by what was his true calling - providing home renovation and designing assistance to the public. He worked at Rankin’s Lumber and Hardware in Camden for 10 years then moved to Sprowl Building Components and later Aroostook Trusses Inc. in Presque Isle as a roof and floor truss designer where his engineering side blossomed. He finished his career back in the lumber and hardware field at EBS in Camden until his retirement in 2017. Throughout his decades in Union, Ed’s great joy was working in his 15 acres of woods, orchard and fields, which he called his most magical place in the world.

He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Harry Beckwith; and a sister, Dottie (Beckwith) Nelson.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Laurie; a brother, Richard “Dick” Beckwith and his wife Virginia “Ginger” of Wellesley, Massachusetts; a sister, Victoria Kempf and husband Mark of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina; a sister, Doborah “Debbie” Dawtel and husband Camby of Wareham; and a sister, Patricia “Patty” Beckwith of Newport, Vermont. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a time of remembrance, where stories and memoires will be shared Friday, July 11, 2025, beginning at 5 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock street, Rockland. All are invited to stay and visit until 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Pope Memorial Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841 or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Burpee Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home. To leave a condolence for Ed’s family please visit their book of memories at www.bchfh.com