Edward Morrill Toland was born to Florence Bamforth (Cutler) Toland and Frank Toland on December 6th, 1929 in Exeter New Hampshire.
Edward Toland’s history connects to an English Lord whose ancestor was James Noyes, a Puritan minister that embarked on a quest for religious freedom by sailboat to Massachusetts in 1642. He was one of the twelve founders of Yale University, an institution based on religious freedom.
Edward was a high school athlete and lettered in Basketball and Football at Weston High School. Edward went on to join the National Guard, later joining the Navy undergoing specialized training and obtaining the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer as a Navy Corpsmen, where he served in both Korea and Viet Nam. After more than 25 years, he retired from the Navy in 1974. Following his Navy career, Edward worked as a Central Supply Supervisor at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Carney Hospital. Upon retirement he worked as a driver for Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Edward loved the ocean and was a sailing expert. He was a lifelong athlete, enjoyed running daily as if he were still with the marines, skiing and sailing into his late 70’s. Edward was also known for his love of reading. His Vietnam experience and the Bible were his favorite subjects.
Ed semi-retired from the Navy when the Charlestown Navy Yard was closed down. He didn’t want to leave his family again, so he went into the reserves to achieve a full retirement status. At the Charlestown Navy Yard, he fell in love and married the beautiful angel, Wilhelmina Irene (Ramsay) Toland. He married Irene in May 1972, combining a family of seven beautiful children.
Irene not only charmed Ed with her beauty, but she also brought Ed into the Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he served for many years as an Deacon, Elder, a Minister, a Treasurer, and many other roles in the church. He was a devout servant of the Lord and left in peace with Irene by his side on May 10, 2018. He lived a full 88 years.
He is predeceased by his mother, Florence Bamforth (Cutler) Toland and father Frank Toland, his daughter Kim Ward, his brothers, Robert Toland, Clifford Cutler, Kenneth Toland, Vincent Toland, and Al Toland. His survivors include his wife of 48 years, Irene Toland, children, Sidney Davis, Leslie Davis, Tina Toland, Robin Almeida, Ann-Marie Toland and Elena Poole. He is survived by his brothers Frank Toland, Jr., Daniel Toland, Gary Cutler, Fred Toland, his sister Veronica LaRoche and Elaine Toland (Robert). He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives.
Services will be held at the Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church, 108 Seaver Street, Dorchester, Friday, May 25, 2018 at 10:00 am. Family Internment Service with full military honors will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Cape Cod, MA at 2:00 pm. All guests are invited to the repast immediately after service. Donations are requested in lieu of flowers in the name and care of Irene Toland, 72 John Street, Reading, MA 01867.
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