Chief Edward B. Garone, 79, of Derry, NH passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at his home in Derry, NH. He was born in Haverhill, NH and lived in Bradford, VT until the family relocated to Queens, NY for a short period until he returned to Bradford, VT as teenager.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 57 years, Blanche (Wormwood) Garone; a son, Michael Garone, who lives in Derry, NH with his wife, Rebecca; a daughter, Vicky Moran, who lives in Lebanon, NH with her husband, Frank, his well-loved grandchildren, Aiden Garone, Alexander Garone, Maureen Marquis, and her husband Ryan, and his two foster grandchildren, Carleigh Sullivan and Ethan Sullivan Dupuis. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, James Wormwood of Elyria, Ohio and many extended family members and friends.
He is predeceased by his parents, Francis A. Garone, Sr. and Winifred (Barry) Garone; his brother Francis “Gary” Garone, Jr., and his wife Mona; and a sister, Nancy McHugh.
Chief Garone’s life was dedicated to public service, serving a 3-year tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1961-1964, stationed for 16 months in Iwakuni, Japan and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division completing his service on August 31, 1964.
Soon after returning home from the Marine Corps, he began his career in law enforcement as a Police Officer in Lebanon, NH being sworn in on October 15, 1964. He quickly rose to the rank of Captain at the Lebanon Police Department. On June 1, 1972, at 29 years old, he became the Chief of Police for the Town of Derry. He served as the Chief of Police for the Town of Derry until his retirement on September 30, 2022, retiring after serving 58 years in law enforcement and serving the community of Derry for 50 years and 4 months.
He had a long-established dedication to the Derry community, which is exemplified by his unparalleled community and civic minded devotion to many organizations. In 1984, the Derry Chamber of Commerce recognized him as its Citizen of the Year.
He was a member of the Greater Derry Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors for over 45 years. The Greater Derry Boys & Girls Club recognized him as Volunteer of the Year, he was a past President of the Club, and Chairman of the Capital Campaign to build a new Club.
Chief Garone was also a member of the Derry Rotary Club for over 48 years, serving as President and was a Member of the Board of Directors. He received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition and was awarded Rotarian of the Year for 1987-1988 and was the longest serving Rotarian.
He was also the Director of the Derry Veteran’s Assistance Fund and was one of the initial Board of Directors and served as past President.
Chief Garone also served on the Board of Directors and as President for the Vivian Leon Memorial Foundation, which is a charitable foundation that provides funds each year to local charities.
Over the years he also served on the Board of Directors for the Alexander Eastman Foundation and for the Seacoast Child Advocacy Center.
He served as a Board Member on the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN).
Over his 50-year tenure as Chief of Police for the Town of Derry, he was instrumental in the formation of the first regional special operations unit in the State of New Hampshire, the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit. He served as President of the Board of Directors since its inception in 2000.
He was an active member of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police (NHACOP) since being appointed Chief in Derry over 50 years ago. He ascended through the Chairs and served as President in 1981 and subsequently, he became Secretary for the Association in 1990 and maintained that roll until his retirement on September 30, 2022. The Association awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
In 2015, he received the New Hampshire Congressional Law Enforcement Award for Career Service for his 50 years of outstanding dedication and commitment to New Hampshire Law Enforcement.
Chief Garone also had a family home where he was born and raised in Bradford, Vermont. In 2006, he became a Commissioner for the Bradford Police Commission responsible for the oversight of the Police Department. In 2010 the Commission was renamed the Public Safety Commission, with additional oversight of the Fire Department and Rescue Squad, which he served on until the time of his death.
There are no calling hours. Graveside services concluding with military honors will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 9:00am at the NH State Veteran’s Cemetery, Route 3, Boscawen, NH. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry and Londonderry are assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Greater Derry Boys & Girls Club. Donations can be made via How to Help (derrybgclub.org) or sent to the Greater Derry Boys & Girls Club, P.O. Box 140, East Derry, NH 03041.