NORTH FRYEBURG — Edward W. Jones, 80, of North Fryeburg, passed away Monday, May 13, 2019, at his home.

He was born in North Fryeburg on April 6, 1939, the son of Erlon P. and Florence L. (Quincy) Jones. He attended grammar school in North Fryeburg and graduated from Fryeburg Academy Class of 1957. That fall, he started work for the U.S. Forest Service, Evans Notch District and worked until 1972, when he went into business for himself as a real estate broker and building contractor. 

In 1961, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in January 1967.

On June 21, 1969, he married the only girl he ever loved, Diane L. (Warren) Jones at the First Congregational Church in Fryeburg. 

Edward was a member of the Mohawk Tribe, Order of Redmen in North Fryeburg and was an early member of the Saco Valley Fire Association. He served 15 years on the Fryeburg Board of Selectmen and many years on various town committees, being one of the founding members of the Town of Fryeburg Cemetery Committee. He was president of the Riverside Cemetery Association in North Fryeburg for several years. He wrote a book entitled Edifying, a book on local history and personal recollections. He was president of the Fryeburg Historical Society many times and served as a board member of the society for 31 years. He was a member of Fryeburg’s Steering Committee for Maine Street ’90, a year-long celebration that former Governor John McKernan designated as community awareness throughout the State of Maine. He built the gazebo in Bradley Park in Fryeburg with volunteer help and built the replica of the Fryeburg Horse Railroad car just by looking at a postcard of it. He was very active in the Republican Party, was curator of the Fryeburg Fair Farm Museum for 27 years and was a trustee of the Fryeburg Fair. He served as a trustee for the J. Keith Henney Historical Foundation and chairman of the Board of Directors at Harvest Hills Animal Shelter and built their first shelter.

Edward had the first snow machine in North Fryeburg and enjoyed riding the fields and the mountains. He enjoyed downhill skiing, bowling, roller skating, hunting and fishing. He shot his first deer at the age of 12. He loved to dance. He and Diane never missed a Saturday night in 10 years at Morton’s Pavilion in Naples. He loved cars, especially his convertibles. He used to ride horses at Dick Fox’s farm. He told the story many times how he borrowed Dick’s black horse and rode it all the way to Fryeburg village just to see Diane one afternoon before they were married. He loved cookouts and family gatherings. Edward was the pitcher for the men’s softball team, The North Fryeburg Eagles. 

He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Peggy (Jones) Hill; and two nephews. 

He leaves his wife Diane, who he loved and cherished for 54 years; his sons, Michael A. Jones of Manchester, N.H., and Erlon B. Jones of Fryeburg; three grandchildren, nieces, great nieces, great nephews and many cousins. 

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at the new Expo Building with the Reverend Violet Mills Eastman officiating. Please bring memories and stories of Edward to share. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Edward’s name may be sent to the Saco Valley Fire Association, 148 North Fryeburg Road, Fryeburg, ME 04037.

Arrangements are in the care of the Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren Street, Fryeburg. Condolences and tributes may be shared with Edward’s family and friends at www.woodfuneralhome.org