GLOUCESTER: Earle Francis Greenwood, 79, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at the Addison Gilbert Hospital following an extended illness. He was the beloved husband of June B. (Swift) Greenwood. They were married on June 17, 1956 and recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.
Born on September 27, 1933 at the Greenwood homestead in West Gloucester, he was the son of the late George R. and Ida (Blake) Greenwood. He was a graduate of Gloucester High School class of 1951 and enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 23, 1956 and served in Korea before being honorably discharged in May 1958.
Earle was appointed to the Gloucester Fire Department in 1958 and served for thirty-three years before his retirement on November 1, 1991. During that time he performed the duties of a firefighter and master mechanic.
He was fifty year member of The Tyrian, Ashler and Acacia Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Gloucester, Aleppo Shrine of Wilmington and a life member of the Gloucester Lodge of Elks No.892. He was also a member of the Gloucester Fire Dept. Relief Association, New England Fire Apparatus Maintenance Assoc., Past-President of Gloucester Fire Dept. Credit Union, a former member of the North Shore Old Car Club and OFOCC Car Club.
Earle loved camping with his family and friends for many years in New Hampshire, Maine, Nova Scotia and Massachusetts. He loved his antique automobiles, traveling to many car shows throughout New England. He made so many friends and loved talking about his automobiles.
In addition to his wife of fifty-seven years, he is survived by two daughters, Carol Ann Kalfin and her husband, Michael of Georgetown and Deborah Jean Welch and her husband, Russell of Rockport and his loving grandchildren, Kaitlyn Welch and Matthew Welch both of Rockport and Elizabeth Kalfin and Lauren Kalfin of Georgetown. He spent many hours on the soccer fields, baseball fields and at band concerts watching his grandchildren. He also leaves many nieces and nephews, including his special nieces, Donna and Nancy Tulla; special friends, Mark Foote, William and Gloria Newman, Darlene Harding, Donald Smith, Steve Strogney, Douglas MacArthur, George Parkhurst and all his wonderful friends in the Fire Department who have been so supportive and helpful during his illness. Earle was very grateful for the many friends who visited him while he was ill, they brightened his day. He was also predeceased by his in-laws, Chester and Lillian Swift; brother, George Greenwood and his wife, Shirley; sisters, Ruth Tulla and her husband, Lauri, Geraldine Creaser and her husband, Clarence, Phyllis Barratt and her husband, Allan and Harriet Goodhue and her husband, Allan.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 – 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Addison Gilbert Hospital, c/o Cindy Donaldson, 298 Washington St., Gloucester, MA 01930 for the exceptional care he received as a patient. Interment will be held in Beechbrook Cemetery, W. Gloucester.