Edward H. Piper

DAMARISCOTTA - Edward H. Piper died Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at the Maine Veterans' Home, Augusta, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born Jan. 2, 1922, in Caribou, the son of Donald Spear Piper and Clara Collins Piper. Ed served as president of his high school class among other activities, and graduated from Caribou High School in 1939. Ed attended the University of Maine, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Alpha Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi. He graduated in 1943. From 1943 to 1945 he served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Italy with the 10th Mountain Division. While home on furlough in November 1944, he married Helen Deering in her parent's home on College Avenue, Orono. Upon returning home from the war, he attended Cornell University where he received a master's degree in agricultural economics in 1947. Ed and Helen started their family there with the birth of their first daughter. Their next move was to Old Town where Ed worked in the Bangor office of Federal Land Bank Production Credit Association from 1947 to 1951, and where their son arrived. Ed and Helen spent several happy years in Caribou where Ed worked for Lyons Service Co. and where their third child was born, completing their family. In 1956, Ed began a 26-year career with the University of Maine becoming the assistant director of Maine Agricultural Experiment Station as it was called at the time. He retired from the University in 1983 and then served as executive director of the Maine Blueberry Commission. During his years with the University, and in his retirement, Ed volunteered countless hours for several organizations. He was an advisor to Delta Tau Delta fraternity from 1960 to 1969. For the General Alumni Association he served on numerous committees through 1972 and as treasurer from 1965 to 1971. Ed received the Black Bear Award for his many contributions to the alumni of the University of Maine. He was an active member of Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono, serving as Sunday school superintendent for five years and church treasurer and trustee for 10 years. Ed joined the Kiwanis Club in 1982. He served on many committees and as club treasurer for seven years. He especially enjoyed organizing the club's annual Christmas party for children of need and ushering at the University of Maine women's basketball games. He also spent at least 17 years delivering Meals for Me. In addition to his service to the community, Ed really enjoyed vegetable and landscape gardening in summers, and skiing with family and friends in the winter. Ed was predeceased by his brother, Wilson Piper; and his sister, Prudence Marriner. He is survived by his wife, Helen, who lives in Damariscotta; daughters, Jean Meakin and her husband, Donald, of Round Pond and Crystal Slatick and her husband, Robert, of Harrisburg, Pa.; a son, Donald Piper and his wife, Cherie, of North Yarmouth; three grandchildren, Cory Piper of Nantucket, Stephen Piper and his wife, Megan, of Brunswick and Andrew Piper and his wife, Jennifer, of Nashua, N.H.; as well as two great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Elizabeth. In 2007 Ed and his wife moved to Chase Point, Damariscotta, to be nearer their children. The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation and gratitude to the employees of Chase Point Assisted Living facility and to those at Maine Veterans' Home, Augusta, for their excellent and thoughtful care of Ed during his last years. No services are planned. Donations in Ed's memory may be made to Senior Alumni Scholarship Fund of the UM Alumni Association. Checks should be made payable to University of Maine Alumni Association and sent to Memorial Gifts, P.O. Box 370, Orono, ME 04473. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Condolences for the family may be expressed at www.StrongHancock.com.