Edgar H. Mears, 64, of Berlin NH, passed away on Feb. 20, 2008, at the Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin. He was born in Washington, DC on Sept. 10, 1943, the son of Chapin H. and Eva ( Bergquist) Mears, and was a lifelong resident of Berlin. He graduated from Berlin High School in 1961 and served in the U.S. Navy 1961-1964. He had been employed by the local paper mill for 39 years and was a member of St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Edgar was a true family man who enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family. He was very proud of his grandchildren Ben and Hailey Bowie. He was especially proud that Hailey sang the National Anthem at the opening of the House of Representatives 2008 session. He will be sorely missed by his family who were very proud of his accomplishments and his dedication to the people of New Hampshire, especially the North Country. Edgar was currently serving his eighth term in the House of Representatives. He had also served on the executive board of Local 75; was a district vice president of the AFL-CIO; and was the current chairman of the House Committee on Labor, Industrial, and Rehabilitation Services; and served for three years on the Berlin City Council and on the Board of Directors of the United Way. The Coos County Democrats honored him as the Harry Truman Democrat of the year in 1995.

Members of the family include his wife of nearly 42, years Lucy (Dupuis) Mears of Berlin NH; daughters Carol Sylvestre and husband Mark of Windham NH, and Lisa Bowie and husband Scott of Gorham NH; grandchildren Hailey Bowie and Benoit Bowie of Gorham; brother Craig Mears of Indiana; sister Patricia (Mears) Woodhouse of Colleyville TX; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents Chapin H. and Eva (Bergquist) Mears, his daughter Heidi Mears in October 2006, and his nephew Peter Woodhouse.

(obituary from Bryant Funeral Home, Berlin NH)