Obituary of Edward Surette

Please note the wake will be held at the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Road in Woburn Edward Surette, a 59 year resident of Burlington passed away on Thursday morning, April 10, 2014 at the Kindred Hospital in Peabody. Ed lived a wonderful 88 years, born in Boston, loving son of Canadian immigrants, the late William and Minnie Surette. He grew up in East Boston and was a graduate of East Boston High School. After graduation he worked as a welder for the General Ship and Engine Works in East Boston and then enlisted in the US Navy to fight in World War II. He served from July of 1943 to February of 1946 holding the rank of Gunner’s Mate Third Class. Ed was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, and the European African Theater Medal. After the war, he went back to work as a Welder at the Watertown Arsenal and then the Boston Naval Ship Yard. He spent much of those years working alongside his loving brother Walter. He retired after 38 years of service. Ed had an outgoing personality, always a smile on his face, aka “Smiling Ed” who loved being with his bride, family, and friends. He was an active in many of the organizations within the Burlington area, a member of the Knight of Columbus, Burlington, Wakefield Elks, and the Burlington Council on Aging in Burlington. He and Maureen attended many socials and they’d dance the nights away. They were nicknamed the “The Old Smoothies” and they gracefully traversed the dance floor and were members of a Red Hot Squares square dancing group. Ed made and maintained an amazing backyard getaway for his family and friends to enjoy… If you drove by the Surette home, you could see the billboard, “Eddie’s Harborside”, a welcoming sign for his man-made built-in pool, that was a deep hole in the back yard, covered with tar paper and plastic, with a swallow end for the kiddos and deep enough for the famous diving board. Ed being a bit claustrophobic, not liking a small tent on his family camping trips to Sebago Lake and Bolton, would stay outside by the campfire while his family slept in the tent. Ed loved to travel and visited many places throughout the US and abroad. He was a true Red Sox, Patriot and Bruin fan, a real Bostonian. Ed was the loving husband of the late Maureen Elizabeth (Horne). He was the loving father of Edward W. Surette & his wife Elaine of Port Charlotte, FL, George R. Surette & his wife Cynthia of Litchfield, NH and Paul W. Surette & his wife JoAnne of Lebanon, ME. Father-in-law of the late Carol Surette. Brother of Lillian Brown of Burlington, Fran Corkum of Lexington, William Surette of Woburn, and the late Marie Barry, Gertrude Doherty and Walter Surette. Grandfather of Edward Jr., Jeffrey, Kenneth, Kevin, Paul and the late Daniel Surette. Amie Blanchette, Andrea Ackerly, Michael Andruchow and Lisa Aaronson. A special Uncle of Anne & Marie. Also survived by 14 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Road (Corner of Pleasant St.,), Woburn, Visiting hours Sunday April 13th, 3-6 p.m. Monday, April 14 at 8:45 a.m Graham Funeral home then on to a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Ed's name may be made to Burlington Council on Aging, 61 Center St., Burlington MA 01803.