Edward Gilman Stevens

Edward (Ed) Gilman Stevens, 90, of Rindge, NH, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2011, at the Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, NH, after a period of declining health.

Ed was born in Townsend, MA on November 9, 1920. He was the only son of Levi and Eva Belle (Hadley) Stevens. He was educated in the Lunenburg, MA schools and graduated from high school in 1938.

Ed married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Bartelett of Lunenburg, MA shortly after graduation, and they moved to Fitchburg, MA where he worked for Simons Saw up to the 1950's while training under auctioneers in both MA and NH in his spare time. They moved to Rindge in 1954 and purchased the home they would live in for the rest of their lives. In 1957 they purchased the Mary L. Ware Grange Hall in Rindge and converted it into an auction hall where he held auctions as Eds Country Auction House until 2006. Rindge was not new to Ed, his grandmother was Ada Maybelle Metcalf of Rindge.

In 1954 he also became a charter member of the New Hampshire Auctioneers Association and served as the 1st Chairman of the Board. He was the first NH auctioneer to conduct a New Year's Day Sale which he held regardless of the weather up to 2006. He held his auctioneers license until 2009.

Ed and his wife always had an open door and the coffee was always on. They both were very supportive to younger people and became involved with Franklin Pierce College soon after it opened in Rindge. They developed a close relationship with Dr. Coles and his wife from the college and welcomed several students to live with them and shared long term friendships with both students and their parents. Eds wife of 53 yrs., Marjorie, passed away in 1992.

Ed will be remembered for his knowledge which he quickly shared, his work ethic, his generosity, his love of working with wood, and especially his quick humor! Ed's Country Auction House was well known and the auctions well attended for decades, and people still comment on how they miss the auctions at the hall or down under the tent in Ed's back yard during the summer months.

Donations in Ed's memory may be made to the Rindge Fire Fighters Association, PO Box 153, Rindge, NH 03461, or to the volunteer organization of your choice.

At Ed's request, there will not be a service or calling hours.