Shrewsbury – Edward J. Caswell, a longtime resident of Shrewsbury, died Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester due to complications from pulmonary fibrosis. He was 88.
Born April 13, 1926, son of the late Edward G. & Jessie W. (Laskie) Caswell, Ed was raised and educated in Haverhill, graduating from Haverhill High School, class of 1944. He went on to serve his country proudly during WWII on a PT Boat for the US Navy as a Machinist Mate 3/C.
Ed worked at New England Power Service Company for 32 years, first in the Boston office and later in Westborough as a supervisor in the Photo Reproduction Department before retiring in 1988.
He met the love of his life, Helen E. (McLeod), and they married April 14, 1956, spending the next 58 years together. They moved to Shrewsbury in 1971 and Ed was active in many organizations including being a life member of the Masons, Saggahew Lodge A.M & F.M. of Haverhill. He was also a longtime member of the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury.
When not working, Ed enjoyed traveling including several cross country trips with his wife after retiring and spending time at his cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee. He also enjoyed the craft of fine woodworking. “The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me.”
Edward leaves his wife, Helen; his children, James E. Caswell Sr. and his wife Mary (Harrison) of Shrewsbury and Jan E. (Caswell) Barlow and her husband Roy of Brimfield; his grandchildren, James E. Caswell Jr. of Webster and Sarah A. (Caswell) Lawton and her husband John of Worcester; a sister-in-law, Gretchen (Page) Caswell of Haverhill; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers William A. and John M. Caswell.
Friends and family will gather privately in Heald & Chiampa Funeral Home. The Rev. Lynn Dolan will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
Honor Ed’s memory with a donation to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 or to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601.
