AUBURN – George Edward “Eddie” Varney Jr., 95, of Auburn passed away at his home on Friday, Oct. 17, with his loving companion at his side.

He was born June 26, 1913, in Hallowell, the son of George E. Varney Sr. and Florence Tibbetts. He graduated from the 9th grade in 1928 in Hallowell and then went to work in his father’s store in Auburn at the bottom of Drummond St. He worked in the shoe industry for Cushco Services and then as an electrician for Roy Snow.

He served three years in the National Guard Company “E” 103rd infantry.

On a blind date, he met Florence Libby and knew that she was the one for him. They married on May 28, 1933, and had three children – William, Jacqueline and Richard – and 58 wonderful years together.

He was a member of the Universalist Unitarian Church in Auburn for many years and served in many positions there. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias Eureka Lodge No. 48 in Auburn.

For more than 40 years, Eddie was a Cub Scout leader in Abanaki District and was presented the prestigious Silver Beaver Award on June 9, 1973, for service in scouting. He was also a Cub Scout roundtable assistant.

From 1990 to 2006, he was the all-around handy man at Two Lakes Campgrounds, filling the ice chest, giving boat rides, and giving wagon rides to kids, and anything else that needed to be done. Everyone knew they could count on Eddie to help. Helping others brought him great pleasure.

His hobbies included Varney Craft (flocked animals he made from plaster), cribbage, fishing, hunting, camping, and watching the Red Sox.

He is survived by his half brothers, Larry Varney and his wife, Jean, of Auburn, and Leroy Gray and his wife, Betty, of Fayette; a daughter, Ruth Keeler of Tacoma, Wash.; a son, William Varney and his wife, Valerie, of Detroit (Maine); a daughter, Jacqueline of Auburn; a son, Richard and his wife, Barbara, of Norway; and his buddy and companion of 17 years, Roberta Pratt.

He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and by all his camping friends at Two Lakes Campground as well as all his friends in the community. He will be greatly missed by all of us.

His family wishes to thank all the wonderful people at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the great care they have given him as well as the wonderful tenants who helped him over the last several months.