Edward Beauchemin

Edward Beauchemin passed away peacefully at home on June 12, with Joan (Longwell), his wife of 64 years by his side. Ed was born in Worcester on May 20, 1937, to Joseph and Florence Beauchemin. In addition to Joan, he is survived by their three sons and spouses / partners (Eddie and Leigh, Tim and Rachel, and Todd and Kim), and three grandchildren (Esther and her husband Rhys, Rebecca, and Sarah). He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Norman, and sister-in-law, Jeannette. Ed was a hard worker and frequently regaled his grandchildren with stories of the jobs he held beginning at age 14, from setting pins at a bowling alley and laying foundations to installing roofs and operating a jackhammer. His skill in mathematics led him into the computer industry. After graduating from Commerce High, he took classes at Worcester Junior College and landed a job at Epsco where he designed and tested computer systems for the Titan and Gemini missiles and Polaris submarines. Ed held top-secret clearance and was a critical member of those project teams, taking special pride in his work on the USS Patrick Henry. He then spent 32 years with Computer Control and Honeywell, earning four technical awards and five hardware patents before finishing his career at Haystack Observatory. Ed was also an athlete and talented baseball player, first playing in a league organized by the boys in his Worcester neighborhood and then at Commerce High. In his 30s, he got involved in the Marlboro youth pony league and ultimately spent a decade managing the team sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Ed was known for teaching every player each position and how to keep score and making sure everyone played in every game. He then started coaching basketball, first at the Marlboro Boys Club and then at Hudson Catholic High School, his sons’ alma mater. He also coached softball at HCH. Those student-athletes also absorbed Ed’s philosophy that building character and fundamental skills mattered more than winning games. Ed continued to be active in sports himself. For many years, he was a pitcher in the EMass Senior Softball League and a perennial member of teams selected to play at the all-star tournaments in Cape Cod. Among his other hobbies were woodworking, trains, bowling, billiards, baseball cap collecting, and puzzle making. He was a dedicated fan of Holy Cross College (30+ year football and basketball season ticket holder) and the Atlanta (formerly Boston) Braves. Ed loved America, was a passionate patriot, and was proud to have served in the National Guard, reaching the rank of sergeant. He frequently stated that his proudest accomplishment was supporting and seeing all three sons earn college degrees. He’ll be best remembered for being willing to help anyone in need, whether doing handyman work for First Church in Marlborough and St. Matthias Church, accepting any new responsibilities associated with the leagues in which he coached, or snow blowing neighbors’ driveways. Ed will be missed, but his legacy will live on through his career contributions, the influence he had on the hundreds of students he coached, and through the lives of his children and grandchildren who were the recipients of his life lessons and unconditional love.  Those who knew Ed are invited to a celebration of life at the Short & Rowe Funeral Home, 95 W. Main St., Marlboro on Saturday, July 25th, from 11:00 AM to Noon, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, people are invited to make a donation in Ed’s memory to Shriners Children's New England in Springfield, MA or the Wounded Warrior Project.

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