Edward Chickering, Sr.

Edward M. Chickering, Sr., 89 of Bristol, passed away on the morning of April 6, 2023 at Windward Gardens in Camden after a period of declining health, with his loving wife and family by his side. Born in Bristol on May 3, 1933, he was the son of Clarence and Mabel (Chapman) Chickering.

Edward grew up in Bristol, where he attended local schools and graduated from Bristol High School in 1951. After graduation, he fished for a couple years before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1953. While in the Army, he served during the Korean conflict as an Intelligence and Operations Specialist at Ft. Benning in Georgia. After his honorable discharge in 1955, he continued his service as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves for several years. Upon returning to Maine, he met the love of his life, Christine Miller, and they were married in October of 1957.

He went on to work many different jobs throughout the years.  He worked on a farm, dug clams, and later worked in the woods cutting trees. He also drove trucks for several local construction companies, but more than anything he enjoyed the excavation and earthwork side of things.

Edward loved music, singing, movies, gardening, playing cards, holidays, being outdoors, and took part in many outdoor activities. Whether it was his blue tick hound dog, hunting, fishing, camping or cooking, he was often found outdoors in nature. He built bird feeders and loved to watch and feed the birds in his yard.

Very social, he loved meeting and being around people, and was often found at local dances and parties. Together with Christine, his wife of over 65 years, they raised six children and ran a small farm with chickens, cows, pigs and ducks. The couple loved to travel in their motorhome together, and spent a lot of time on the roads in northern Maine and parts of Canada.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Mary McDonald, Eva Chickering, Donna Anderson and Virginia Bracket; as well as a sister-in-law, Sharon Chickering.

He is survived by his wife, Christine of Bristol; six children, Edward Chickering, Jr. and his companion Sandra Ripley of Bremen, Adam Chickering and his wife Dawn of Waldoboro, Eugene Chickering and his wife Annette of Lisbon Falls, Karen Cummings and her husband Bruce of Walpole, Lisa Genthner and her husband Gary of Bristol, and Teresa Capen and her husband Marvin of Bristol; three siblings, Clarence Chickering and his wife Patty of Massachusetts, Wayne Chickering of Round Pond, and Faye Cunningham and her husband Alex of Bristol; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service, with military honors, will be held at 11:00am, on Monday, April 24th at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home in Damariscotta.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Edward’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward Chickering, Sr., please visit our floral store.