Edward Thomas Gamage passed away on the evening of Sept. 2. Born in South Bristol, he was the son of Lettie Hodgdon Gamage and Charles Gamage.
He spent his childhood in South Bristol, attending schools there. He worked as a caddie at Wawenock Country Club, later becoming a member and winning several championships.
During WWII, Edward was stationed in Pensacola, Fla. where he flew as a navigator in PBY airplanes.
Edward married Bernice “Bunny” Bellefontaine in 1946, and had two daughters, Priscilla and Jacalyn. He worked for several years at his uncle Harvey Gamage’s Shipyard before branching out on his own and running his own shipyards, first in Boothbay and then in Thomaston. He built several fishing, sightseeing, and sailing vessels, working first in wood and then in steel. Several of his innovative designs are still used today.
Edward spent many years racing boats on the lakes and rivers of New England. These years were combined with family camping trips throughout the New England area. After the girls were grown, Ed and Bunny continued camping for several years.
Edward was a Master Mason and a member of the Kora Shrine. He later converted to Catholicism and enjoyed going to church with Bunny.
Edward was predeceased by his mother and father; brothers, Arnold and Charles; and sisters, Amy and Cleo.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bunny Gamage; daughters, Priscilla and husband Louis Waters of Greenville, N.C., and Jacalyn and husband Linwood Fraser of Damariscotta; grandsons, Charles Edward Waters, wife Theresa and sons River and Charles of Gorham, Patrick Louis Waters, wife Sharmaine and children Diandra, Jerome and Ethan of Greenville, N.C., Ryan and wife Sarah Fraser and their children of Damariscotta, and Matthew Fraser of New Orleans, La.; sister, Shirley Haley of South Bristol; sister-in-law, Gloria Gamage of South Bristol; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Thurs., Sept. 5 at St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle with a reception in the Cheverus room after the service. He will be laid to rest in the Hillside Cemetery on Church Street in Damariscotta, following the reception.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
