Edwin C. Stanley

WESTBROOK -- Edwin C. Stanley died on April 5, 2012 at Springbrook Center. Ed was born on August 31, 1925 in Portland, the youngest child of Lena and Danforth Stanley. He graduated from Portland High School in 1942, following which he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served as a signalman escorting merchant ships throughout the world.

After his naval service, he returned to Portland and worked at Nabisco while attending school at night. He also worked at Suburban Propane and then spent the majority of his career working at Aetna Life and Casualty in Portland, and eventually retiring from Unum.

While working at Suburban Propane, Ed met Phyllis Dodge, whom he married in March of 1951. Together they settled in Gorham and raised three children, Gregg of Franklin, Tenn., Jill McCue of Gorham and Jan Gile of Gorham. They enjoyed many summers together at Harmon's Beach on Sebago Lake, always surrounded by family and friends.

Ed was civic minded and was a long time member of the Gorham Lion's Club. He was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, and often appeared in Lion's Club variety shows. Ed was also known as a huge animal lover throughout his life and raised numerous pets to the delight of children.

Ed is survived by his three children; four grandchildren, Chris and Connor Stanley of Franklin, Tenn., Matthew Fitzpatrick of So. Portland, and Aaron Gile of Gorham; and a great granddaughter, Alexandra, of Gorham.

Relatives and friends may call at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, Monday, 5-7 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Philip Shearman will officiate.

Please visit www.jonesrichhutchins for further information and to sign Ed's guestbook.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the superb staff at the Springbrook Center, taking such great care of Ed for the last year of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed's memory to:

The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, 449 Stroudwater St., Westbrook, ME 04092