Edward T. Cousineau

Waltham – Mr. Edward T. Cousineau, of Waltham, died at home in the loving care of his family on Monday, February 24, 2014. He was 88.

Ed was born in Watertown on March 8, 1925, a son of the late Edward and Harriet (Ford) Cousineau. A 1942 graduate of Watertown High School he worked for a time at American Mutual Insurance Company in Boston before enlisting in the United States Army.

Assigned to an ordnance maintenance company, Ed's unit was sent to England in March of 1944. Three months later he found himself stepping through the front door of history during the Allied invasion of Europe that came at Normandy, France in June of that year. Ed saw action in France, Holland, Belgium and in Germany.

After almost two years in Europe Ed returned to the United States just before Christmas, 1945. In January, 1946 he came home to Watertown where he later opened a well-known variety store on Main Street with his brother-in-law, Bob Gildea, cleverly called Bob & Ed's, that the two operated well into the 1950's.

On April 14, 1956 Ed married his sweetheart, also from Watertown, Theresa M. Furey at her home parish, Saint Patrick's on Main Street. The couple soon moved to Natick where they lived before moving to Waltham six years later where they raised their family and have been residents since.

Ed spent most of his life as a well-respected banker in Waltham where he was the vice-president of mortgage lending for years at Middlesex Family Cooperative Bank. While at the bank he was a long time member of the Waltham Rotary Club.

At home he loved to relax in his back yard with a pipe and the evening newspaper. He loved taking care of his wife Terry and his kids and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sharing stories and meals and everyday things.

He loved doing puzzles, especially with his grandchildren and spent countless hours tending to his meticulous yard and garden. Ed tended his crops for years at the community garden at the Gore Estate where he was known for his green thumb; yielding plenty in the tough New England climate. He loved the Boston sports teams and like so many was thrilled to finally see the Sox take the Series in 2004.

In addition to his wife of fifty-eight years, Theresa, he leaves his children, Jeanne M. Bruno and her husband, David, of Burlington, Edward T. Cousineau, Jr. and his wife, Denise, of Franklin, Janet T. Cousineau of Waltham, Karen M. Cousineau of Salem and David P. Cousineau and his wife, Patrice, of Waterboro, Maine; his grandchildren, Justin, Alyssa, Jenna, Kailey, Kevin, Rachel and Michael; his great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Ava; his brother an sister, Frank Cousineau of Watertown and Lorraine Doolan of Scituate and many nieces and nephews.

Ed was also a brother of the late Harriet Gildea.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ed's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, February 27th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to WCI, 135 Beaver Street, Waltham MA 02452.