Obituary of Edwin-John Atkinson

SMITHFIELD -- Edwin John Atkinson, 65, died at his home Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010, following a long hard battle fighting leukemia with his family and friends at his side.He was born in Rittle, England, a son of Edwin R. and Mary A. Eddy Atkinson and raised in Gardiner.He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He received the National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service metal and an expert Badge Rifle M-16, M-14.Ed was a master carpenter, having built many houses in the greater Atlanta, Ga., areas. He was a volunteer fireman, training officer and assistant chief for the Walton County, Georgia Fire Department. He was a truck driver, when he was not building houses, across the country. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and the outdoors.He was predeceased by his stepfather, Richard Rankins Sr., and his mother.He is survived his children, Julie Morris and her husband, Gary, of Virginia, Michael Andres of Florida, Jeffrey Atkinson and his wife, Aisha Musa, of Florida, Michelle Atkinson and her partner, Terry Kinney, of Maine, Mary Murray and her partner, William Callahan, of Maine, Alison Watts and her husband, Alex, of Hawaii, and Sarah Doan and her husband, Dennis, of Kentucky; brothers and sisters, Linda Karlsson and her husband, Kurt, of Maine, Jacqueline Donahue and her husband, Michael, of Maine, John Rankins and his wife, Sherry, of Maine, Richard Rankins Jr. and his wife, Bonnie, of Maine, and several stepbrothers and stepsisters, of Connecticut; eight grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.Visiting hours will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, where military honors will be held at 2 p.m.Burial will be later in the family lot in Whitefield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Edwin's memory to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta, c/o MaineGeneral Health, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903.