PORTLAND – Leo “Beans” Elward passed away Oct. 12, at Mercy Hospital. He had resided at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough with his wife, Nell Blanchard Elward.

Born in Rumford, May 16, 1919, he was the son of Peter and Justine Theriault Elward. He attended Rumford schools and worked at the Rumford Mill for 40 years.

He faithfully served his country in World War II. He was a member of the VFW Post 1641 and the American Legion Post No. 24.

He absolutely loved his home and camp at Roxbury Pond with “the best neighbor in the world,” Bob Collette. He loved animals, feeding birds, drives on back roads and picking berries. Everyone that knew him loved him for his sense of humor. He will be very sadly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife; two “special” daughters, Rebecca Blanchard, of Roxbury and Nancy and Carl Wahlstrom, of Prattsburg, N.Y.; “special niece,” Barbara McMillan, of Rumford; sister-in-law, Helen Elward, of Dixfield; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one sister, Dora Elward McMillan, and three brothers, John, Lawrence “Red” and Omer Elward.