Edwin Fiske Sherman Jr.

SHERMAN, EDWIN FISKE JR., 90, of Laurelmead, Providence, and Shelter Harbor, Westerly, died on August 28, 2007, at his summer residence. Husband of Martha A. Parkhurst Sherman for 67 years, he was born in Providence. He was the son of Margretta Otis Deming and Edwin F. Sherman.

A textile executive for most of his life, Mr. Sherman began his career in Providence at the John F. Street Company and served as President for many years. When the Company was purchased by Indianhead Corporation in 1966, he moved to New York City to serve as President of Roxboro Yarns, a division of Indianhead Yarn Company, and later of Tultex, Inc. In 1971, he moved to Roxboro, North Carolina, to serve as the Director of two textile mills at Longhurst and Roxboro. He retired in 1977.

A graduate of Deerfield Academy in 1934 and Amherst College in 1938, Mr. Sherman was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He served as a commissioned officer aboard YMS 226, a yard minesweeper in the Minesweeping Division of the 8th Amphibious Force based in the Mediterranean. He took part in the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France, and for his work at the latter, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Silver Star for heroism.

An effective and committed volunteer, Mr. Sherman served on the Boards of the East Side YMCA, the Greater Providence YMCA (as well as serving as President of the latter), the United Fund of Providence, the United Fund of Roxboro, the Rhode Island Audubon Society, the Parents League, the Chorus of Westerly and the Roxboro Hospital. He was instrumental in fund-raising for Moses Brown School and Central Congregational Church; he chaired the Second Century Fund to restore the Church building for its Centennial in 1993, and he was a member of the Church's Permanent Deaconate.

Following his retirement, Mr. Sherman pursued his life long interests in drawing, painting and music. He was a member of the Providence Art Club, and was a member of the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars.

A skilled and experienced sailor, Mr. Sherman sailed and raced his own boats and with others to many ports in this country and abroad. He taught all of his children the skills of sailing and racing and the art of seamanship. He was a member and former officer of the Weekapaug Yacht Club.

He is survived by his wife; his four sons, Deming Eliot Sherman and Richard Adams Sherman, both of Providence, Robert Spink Sherman of Boston, and Edwin Fiske Sherman, III of East Lyme, Connecticut; eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2007, at Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell Street, Providence, Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in his memory to Central Congregational Church or to the YMCA, 160 Broad Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903.