Edward Carl Townsend

Edward Carl Townsend, 70, of Springvale, died on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at Mercy Hospital in Portland.Carl was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts on June 18, 1942 to Paul and Theresa (Coulombe) Townsend where he grew up and attended local schools, graduating from Haverhill High School. Following high school Carl enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country for four years. In 1968 he moved to Sanford where he met his "beautiful bride", Arlene Roux, whom he married in 1969. He worked for many years at and retired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.Carl was a communicant of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford where he served as a Eucharistic minister. He was an active member of the St. Thomas Council of the Knights of Columbus #13861 and also had a ministry repairing broken rosaries and sharing them with others. He was a member of the Patriot Riders of America, Maine Chapter 1 where he was known as the "Chaser." He was also an avid racing fan and was proud to have been a member of the pit crew for #93, Palmer Racing Team at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. Carl was a very patriotic man and was proud of his military service. He had a deep love for our country and for the men and woman serving in the armed forces. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and particularly liked to go hunting and fishing with his grandsons. Carl will be remembered as a kind and loving man and will be deeply missed.Carl was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Barry Townsend and his brother-in-law, Harvey Damphousse.Surviving are his wife, Arlene M. Townsend of Springvale; four children Ronald Carl Townsend and his wife Kim of Clinton Township, Michigan, Nickie Murray and her husband Chuck of Hollis, Michelle Gonzales and her husband Greg of Muskego, Wisconsin and Christine Goodwin and her companion Phil Thain of Limerick; 14 grandchildren, Andrew Townsend and his fiancee Erin, Michelle Thomes and her husband Glenn, Chase Murray, Sarah Murray, Sean Murray, Brittney Murray, Kayla Goodwin, Alyssa Goodwin, Justin Goodwin, Joshua Guertin, Meagan Chasse, Casey Gonzales, Joshua Townsend and Ryan Townsend; six great grandchildren, Mekayla Thomes, Mercedes Thomes, Logan Thomes, Kailey Townsend, Saylor Gonzales and Autumn Guertin; his sister, Vicki Damphousse of Haverhill, Massachusetts, his sister-in-law, Rosanne Townsend of Haverhill, Massachusetts; his mother-in-law, Jeannette Roux of Alfred and several nieces and nephews.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 9th at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, located on North Avenue in Sanford. Interment will be at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the TLF Wish Fund c/o Gorham Regional Federal Credit Union, 375 Main Street, Gorham, Maine 04038.Arrangements are under the direction of Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home in Sanford.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.