1925 – 2004

CAPE ELIZABETH – Edson V. Mitchell Jr., 78, of Cross Hill Road, Cape Elizabeth, died Monday, March 8, at his residence.

Mr. Mitchell was born Sept. 25, 1925, in Lewiston, a son of Edson V. and Ruth Brown Mitchell and attended schools in Rochester, N.Y., Auburn, South Paris and Falmouth schools in Maine. He graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy’s Fourth Class and attended Roberts Wesylen College in Rochester, N.Y.

During World War II he served as Engineering Officer on numerous Liberty and Victory ships. Following the War he advanced his Marine License to Chief Engineer and spent the nest five years with the Worldwide Exxon Tanker Fleet until a growing family favored a return to Maine. Before leaving Exxon Mr. Mitchell advanced his Marine License to Chief Engineer.

A career change developed into a long and fulfilling association with Service Master Hospital Corp. For over 20 years, until retirement he managed hospital environmental services in many New England Hospitals as a Regional Operations Manager and coordinated groups of services in New England and New York State.

In his last 10 years prior to retirement he managed housekeeping, laundry and linen operations at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

His entire life was devoted to many local church responsibilities in South Portland, Yarmouth, Auburn, Augusta and Duxbury, Mass., Nazarene churches. He and his wife Helen served as Youth Activities Leaders for many years. While living in Augusta he was elected to the Nazarene Maine District Advisory Board

Mr. Mitchell was instrumental in organizing the Maine Chapter of the Christian Business Men’s Committee serving as Chairman. It became a source of deep appreciation to him that Christian Laymen from various denominations could fellowship together in harmony.

His personal activities pivoted around family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, having bagged a trophy Buck in the Allagash region and fishing on streams extensively in the Rangeley Lake area. Each of his 10 grandchildren was introduced early in his life this passion for fishing and outdoor adventures, especially the joys of cooking and eating their catch. This often included cooking fish and bacon beside a stream.

Surviving is his wife of 53 years, Helen Marie (Ek) Mitchell of Cape Elizabeth; a son, Glenn E. Mitchell of Falmouth; a daughter, Mrs. Norman (Karen) Villeneuve of West Palm Beach, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Predeceasing him was a son, Edson V. Mitchell III in 2000; a sister, Barbara Mitchell; a brother, Douglas Mitchell; and twin brothers, Roger and Alan Mitchell.

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