Edward A. Tasker

1947 - 2025

Edward A. Tasker

Barnstead, NH - Edward A. Tasker, 77, of Barnstead, with his loving family by his side, "left to go fishing," on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Ed was born on June 1, 1947, in Midland, TX, but he always considered New Hampshire to be his home. After graduating from Pittsfield High School in 1965, where he played on the baseball team, Ed enlisted in the Army, serving in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division, for which he was later awarded a Purple Heart. Upon returning home, Ed attended UNH and went on to hold various jobs including many years with the State of NH. An avid outdoorsman, Ed enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, bird watching, and fur trapping, earning the Hall of Fame Award in 2022 from the NH Trappers Association.

Ed was an encyclopedia of local history, was proud to call Barnstead his home, and worked throughout his life to better the town. He served on the planning board, conservation commission, and sat on the Board of Selectman, serving several terms, for over 20 years throughout his life.

His proudest achievement was raising his two daughters, whom he loved dearly. Envisioning a certain type of childhood for them, Ed brought up his girls on the family farm, instilling in them the values of working with their hands, as well as simple joys like getting up late at night to watch fireflies or to see a baby calf or lamb be born. Family and friends were of the utmost importance to Ed, most recently those who participated in the "Scotch Drinkers & Oyster Eaters" meetings held at his home. Ed always said, "happiness is an oyster you can chew and having a woman who can shuck them."

Ed and his companion, Joanie, enjoyed traveling, with visits up north to Pittsburgh, to Damariscotta, Maine, always returning with oysters, Alaska, and New Orleans. He also went on trips to South Dakota, Kansas and Wyoming to hunt with his daughter and his friends.

Ed was predeceased by his father, Leonard George Tasker; his mother, Jesse (Hickey) Tasker; and his brother, Phillip Tasker. He is survived by his fishing buddy and longtime companion of 30 years, Joanie Foss; daughters, Eliza Tasker-Smith and her husband, Jerry and Emma Tasker; his cousins and nephews; and his dog, Ulysses.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 2:30PM at the Barnstead Parade Congregational Church, 1 Parade Circle, Barnstead, NH 03218 with Military Honors to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust or Bear-Paw Regional Greenways. In honor of Ed, keep an eye out for interesting roadkill, and encourage your local bar to offer Budweiser on draft. The Roan Family Funeral Home – Still Oaks Chapel in Epsom is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com.