Earle Walker Edwards Obituary (1933 - 2023)

Yarmouth - Earle was born on September 13, 1933 in New York City to Elspeth and Earle, Sr. He was their sixth child and their only son. Earle started school in New York, but traveled often: Scotland with his mom, summers in Maine and Cuba, and military school in Virginia. He made his home wherever he went. During one Maine summer, he met Patricia Farwell. For the next 70 years, Earle’s dedication to Pat knew no limits. They married in 1955 and welcomed sons Jeff and Dave soon thereafter. In 1964, they moved from their first home to a farm in North Yarmouth. Earle powered through renovations and embraced every aspect of farming. He shared his love for rural life with Jeff, Dave, and his third son, Dan, who arrived in 1967. He also shared his passion for the Maine wilderness. Adventuring took place year-round in Maine and maritime Canada. His annual fishing trip, which began with his father in the 1940s at Baxter State Park, still takes place — with new generations — every June. Earle earned his teaching degree in the early 1970s. He took his first job in 1972 and served as a teacher and administrator in South Portland for nearly 30 years. He loved his work. After “retiring” in 1996, he continued as a teaching faculty member with Simmons and Lesley Colleges’ summer programs. Over the next two decades, Earle and Pat traveled frequently — sometimes accompanied by their sons and their families. Ever restless, Earle took part-time jobs in the L.L. Bean camping department, and with the town of North Yarmouth. He reluctantly retired in 2016 when Pat was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. For the remainder of Earle’s life, his dedication to his wife grew — first as her primary caregiver at home, then as a daily presence when her condition necessitated a move to residential memory care. In September of 2023, Earle’s health took an unexpected turn. Between stays at Togus and Maine Medical Center, he returned to the same Yarmouth care facility where Pat had lived in memory care since 2019. He passed away there on November 8, 2023. Earle is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons Jeffrey (and wife Beth), David (and wife Maria), and Dan; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A celebration of both his and Pat’s life will take place at 147 New Gloucester Road in North Yarmouth from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.