Lehan Edwards Obituary (1931 - 2011)

WINTHROP - Lehan Allerton Edwards, 79, died Jan. 13, 2011, after a courageous struggle with heart disease. He was born in Leeds on May 15, 1931, the son of Eleanor (Nichols) Edwards and Norman H. Edwards. Lehan (Pete) was always a teacher, always a student. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono and received a master's degree at Penn State. Pete was a science teacher and principal at Winthrop High School, retiring in 1988. He spent 15 years after retirement in Pembroke on Cobscook Bay. He was an avid outdoorsman, skier, hiker, canoeist and kayaker. He had a pilot's license and loved to fly. He was a ski coach and ski instructor -- still an active skier at age 78. He's remembered for his work on the ski tow on Gilmour's Hill and as an organizer for the start of the Winthrop YMCA. Pete was a longtime member and served as president of the Winthrop Rotary. He was a Master Mason, an instructor in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, president for three years of Fundy Audubon, and an active member of Pathfinders walking group and the Pembroke Historical Society. Pete was predeceased by a brother, Guy William Edwards. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joan Balderston Edwards; three children, Kellie Chick and husband Matthew of Winthrop, Kendell Edwards and companion Marla Dibiase of Winthrop, and Keith Edwards and wife Britt of Richmond; and one grandson, Matthew Carter, and fiancee Roxy Harmon of Winthrop. He was known as Grampy Pete to Whitney, Kaitlyn, Danny, Caleb, Kinli and Nea. Friends and family are invited to visit from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A celebration of Pete's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Winthrop Congregational Church (UCC), Bowdoin Street, Winthrop. Committal services and interment will be held at Monmouth Ridge Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winthrop YMCA, 29 Town Hall Lane, Winthrop, ME 04364; or the Pembroke Library, 221 Old County Rd., Pembroke, ME 04666. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.