Edward H. Maxwell, age 89, of 15 Spring Street, Noank, died Monday morning at Mystic Manor Convalescent Center after an extended illness.Ed was born November 15, 1912 in Glen Cove, Long Island, the son of Bessie G. and Henry L. Maxwell. His youth was spent in Princeton, NJ and summers with family on Fishers Island. He was graduated from Princeton University in 1936.Ed's avocation was sailing.His family owned more Herreshoff yachts than any other in history. These yachts served as a sail training program for Ed and his two brothers.Ed began competitive racing in 1920 in Bullseyes at West Harbor. That led to one class after another, including 24" Fishers Island One Designs, 40" Fishers Island One Designs, New York Forties, Twelve Meters, Star Boats, International One Designs, 210 various frost biting dinghies, 30 square meters Atlantics, 24" Dolphin, Ensign, and several Tartans. Long Island and Block Island Sounds were his racing venues.In the early years, Ed worked as a yacht broker for Gerry Ford in City Island NY, for Pitney Bowes, the Indian Motor Cycle Company, and Electric Boat.Ed spent most of his life in Noank and for 35 years ran the Maxwelton Paint Co. in downtown Mystic. with his wife Lil. As a team, Lil taught art and Ed sold paint, artist supplies and did picture framing. Together they raised four children: Wes, Carol Vicki and Martha, all sailors.Ed had been a member of the New York Yacht Club, Larchmont Yacht Club, Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Fishers Island Yacht Club, Off Soundings Club, Ram Island Yacht Club and Nauyaug Yacht Club.He will best be remembered for his uncanny ability to decipher the winds, currents, and rocks found around Fishers Island and use them to his advantage in yacht racing. He was considered to be one of the greatest around buoy races.In recognition for Ed's sailing talent, last summer the Mystic River Mudheads named their new committee boat the "Eddie Maxwell". Ed is survived by his wife, four children and ten grandchildren.A Memorial Service will be held Friday August 24 at 10:30 AM at the Ram Island Yacht Club, 60 Front Street, Noank. Ed's ashes will be spread in Fishers Island Sound. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mystic Seaport Sail Training Program, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT 06355.