Eddy Ward Whitcomb, 91, of Brookline NH, died suddenly on July 13, 2019 at his home. Born in Nashua NH, on March 12, 1928, he was the son of Harlan and Sarah Jane (Ward) Whitcomb. He lived in his family’s homestead throughout his life and was a longtime member of the Brookline Community Church.

Eddy graduated from Milford High School. At a young age, he operated the family’s grocery store and eventually built and operated Whitcomb’s Ice Cream for 23 years. Eddy was always an entrepreneur. After he sold the restaurant, he became a Real Estate Broker. He received the Realtor of the Year award for his hard work. He owned and operated several local businesses.

Eddy served his community for many years. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen, School Board, and Planning Board. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Brookline Fire Department for 26 years. Eddy donated the Vietnam and Korean War monument to the town in 1990. He was proud that he was named Brookline’s Citizen of the Year.

Eddy was a member of the Benevolent Masonic Temple for over 50 years and was a 32-degree York Rite Shriner. He was a Director and the National Representative for the Royal Order of the Jesters of NH. He served as the Potentate for the Bektash Shriners in 2010. He was the recipient of the John Sullivan Medal. Eddy’s passion was volunteering every Tuesday at the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Boston, up until his death. His wife and he volunteered for over 29 years. He was a member of the Board of Governors for the Shriner’s Hospital and the Shrine Maple Sugar Football.

Besides his parents and sisters, Mary West and Evelyn (Pepper) Couturier, Eddy was predeceased by his granddaughter, Katie (Whitcomb) Hamilton and his son-in-law, Thomas Dwyer. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 68 years as well as his five children and their spouses; Betty Ann Whitcomb, Steven and Catherine Whitcomb, David and Carol Whitcomb, Eddy and Sue Whitcomb, and Jane Dwyer, all of Brookline. Eddy was proud of his growing family. He had 13 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He had many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Eddy will always be remembered for his suitcoat and tie no matter what the occasion and his clever jokes. He collected antique cars and created oil paintings. He showed extreme generosity to his community and to all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Eddy’s name to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Boston, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 or the Brookline Fire Department, 4 Bond Street, Brookline, NH 03033.

Calling hours are on Wednesday, July 17th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055. A Masonic Service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 18th at 10:00 a.m. in the Brookline Community Church, Main Street, Brookline NH 03033. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Brookline. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.