Edward Lee Charbonneau, 87, of Biddeford, passed away at his home in Saco on Friday, May 23, 2025. His daughters Kristine and Julie were by his side.

Ed was born at his family's home on Beacon Avenue in Biddeford on August 29, 1937. His father, Edward B., and mother, Germaine (Bolduc) Charbonneau, had three boys. Ed was the eldest, and twins Robert and Richard were born five years later. While growing up, his Mémère Bolduc and cousin Janine Hubert Laverriere, who both lived in the family home, were very influential in Ed's upbringing. Ed attended Mount Assumption Institute in Plattsburgh, NY where he excelled in football and varsity hockey.  He completed his high school education at St. Louis in Biddeford, class of 1956.

Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1956 and was stationed onboard the USS Tarawa (CV-40), an anti-submarine carrier, where his sea tour took him to ports such as Antarctica. He was also stationed onboard the USS Independence (CV-62), an attack carrier, where his sea tour took him to Cuba and the Caribbean. After his 4 year, 4 month Navy enlistment, he received an honorable discharge in 1961. He immediately bought a Studebaker, which he proudly drove from Norfolk, VA back home to Biddeford. Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1979 where he had the opportunity to conduct his yearly training exercises in places like Cuba, Panama, Spain and New Orleans. He retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1996, after proudly serving for over 20 years.

Ed was from the Silent Generation - the generation who focused on family and tradition. He was reserved in nature and worked hard with a steady career, doing whatever was necessary to provide for his loved ones. He worked as a lifeguard during the summers of his junior and senior years of high school. He even chose to lifeguard while on leave from the Navy and continued to do so for many years after. He worked at Maremont in Saco, making M16 barrels that were used in Vietnam. Being very ambitious, he took on construction jobs as well. Ed would go on to study at the University of Maine in Portland, receiving a Bachelors Degree in French in 1967. Ed then went to the Bronx in New York to take on a difficult job as a social worker for a year-and-a-half.

In 1967, Ed became a principle and teacher in Arundel. Then, 1969 would prove to be a tremendously important and life-changing year for Ed. He purchased an 11-acre parcel of land in Arundel with hopes of building a homestead with animals and a garden. And it was the year he met his soul mate, Marthe "Marti" Paradis.  One day in August would become the most pivotal day of his life. Instead of going to work on his Arundel house, he opted to head to the beach to body surf. While up on the lifeguard stand with his buddies, Ed noticed that a young lady had fallen asleep on a towel nearby. After bodysurfing for a while, Ed got the courage to speak to Marti, who was visiting Maine from Quebec. He used his best Biddeford French on her as she didn't speak a word of English.

Marti soon returned home to Quebec, but the two grew their relationship by sending letters and they had a few visits. By December of that same year, Ed asked Marti's mother if he could marry her daughter. They were married the following summer on August 8, 1970. Ed's Old Orchard Beach lifeguarding days had come to an end! They began their new lives together in the same town where they had first met – Old Orchard Beach. Ed purchased a home on Camp Comfort and rented out a couple of apartments in it. Once the home in Arundel was built enough to live in, they began their homestead life there. They got a horse named Gee Whiz and some chickens before beginning to raise their two wonderful daughters, Kristine and Julie. In 1976, knowing that Marti wasn't fond of the remoteness of their Arundel home, the family relocated to Waterboro.

Ed's teaching career was extensive with additional teaching and principal duties in Alfred and later in Waterboro. Waterboro Elementary is where Ed would spend the bulk of his career, teaching the 5th grade.  During the summers, when school wasn't in session, he continued to do all he could to support his family by periodically working as a motel clerk, and he also did some rug cleaning.  Even in his retirement years, Ed substitute taught for many years, right up to the time Marti was first diagnosed with cancer. He touched the lives of many students and teachers alike over the years.

In 2008, Ed and Marti moved to Quebec and resided in their family camp which they originally purchased in 2003.  Later, in 2015, they purchased a home in Melbourne, Florida. By 2017, they purchased a summer seasonal home in Old Orchard Beach.  The couple split their time for several years between the two locations.

Dear to Ed's heart were dogs, but more specifically, Miniature Schnauzers. It was a love which began several decades earlier, after Ed's first Navy stint. And it continued with Marti as they raised 4 beloved babies. First it was Pepper and Lady and then it was Chloe and Marti's personal guardian, Sadie. The couple would be seen walking them several times per day around their neighborhoods in Florida and Maine.

Ed had a number of interests, many of which highlighted his creative nature.  He enjoying both woodworking and metalworking, he built several sheds and cabins on his property, undertook many remodeling projects around his homes, he tumbled stones and made jewelry.  Ed had a passion for gardening, for fixing up and taking rides on his boat in Lake Winnipesaukee, cutting firewood, tending to the fish in his aquariums, watching birds, reading and researching historical events. The Antiques Roadshow was one of his favorite shows. Ed really loved history!

Ed's love for Marti was second to none. It was literally a love story for life. She was his whole world. Friends and neighbors recalled them always holding hands while walking. He depended upon her for everything. When Marti passed, Ed tried so hard to live his life, but ultimately, it proved to be too much and Ed died of a broken heart. He longed for the day he would hear Marti once again say, "Hey Ed!" as she had hundreds and thousands of times before.

Ed was predeceased by Marthe Charbonneau, his loving wife of 53 years; by his parents, Edward B. and Germaine Charbonneau; by the grandmother he affectionately referred to as Mémère Bolduc; by his brother, Richard Charbonneau; and by his cousin, Janine Hubert Laverriere.

Ed is survived by his two daughters, Kristine Charbonneau and Julie Iacopelli, with husband Peter; by his brother Robert Charbonneau and wife Loanne; by four grandchildren, Renee, Ryan, Daniel and Dominic; by his aunt Charlotte Bolduc and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dad, you affected more lives than you'll ever know. You always left an impression on others. And your ability to recall stories from the past up until the very end was pretty special. Rest easy in eternal peace with your loving wife and your beloved fur babies. There are no words to explain how much we will all miss you.

Ed's graveside service will take place on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 12 Noon at St Joseph's Cemetery in Biddeford, Maine. There will also be a Celebration of Life after. Details are still being finalized. If you would like more information or to be included in updates, please send an email to Kristine at kcharbs@proton.me