Edgar J. (Ned) Helms died at his family farm in Woolwich on Sunday, May 12, 2013. He died peacefully in his sleep after a full life of 92 years. His wife of 66 years, Shirley Ruth Colby Helms, predeceased him in February of 2010.

Ned was born on December 20, 1920 in Watertown, Mass., the 11th of 12 children to his parents Edgar J. Helms and Grace Loretta Preston Helms. He was predeceased by all of his brothers and sisters.

Ned attended schools in Watertown, Mass., and was a student at Emerson College in Boston when World War II began. He joined the Army Air Corps and trained as a crewmember on a B-24 Aircraft. Before departing for his service in Europe, Ned married Shirley in the Morgan Chapel of the Church of All Nations in Boston on March 29, 1944. While in Europe, his plane, the Miss Fitz, was shot down during a bombing mission over Italy. The members of the crew parachuted and were all eventually returned safely to the allies.

His courageous pilot who assured the safety of his crew on that last journey of the Miss Fitz, Captain Frances Lozito of Virginia, remained a dear friend of Ned and Shirley. In the 1990s Ned was able to reunite with Frank at Frank’s home in Virginia. Since that meeting Frank and Ned communicated weekly.

Following his return from the war Ned received a bachelor’s degree and a master of divinity degree from Boston University. Following his ordination as a minister in the United Methodist Church, he served churches in Newton Lower Falls, Wellesley, Milford, Springfield, and Westfield in Massachusetts.

His interest in people with special needs and his family history with Goodwill Industries (Ned’s father founded Goodwill in 1902) led him to spend the last years of his career serving as a field chaplain and counselor to the Department of Developmental Services in Massachusetts operating from the Belchertown State School. In that position he served staff, patients and families in meeting their spiritual needs.

In 1983 Ned and Shirley retired to the cottage that they had built with the support of many wonderful families and friends on the shore of Pemaquid Lake in Damariscotta. Their cabin, christened Kum-Ba-Yah, became a favorite gathering place for families and friends over the years and held a very special place in their hearts for all its warm memories.

In 2006, Ned and Shirley moved to the Colby family homestead in Woolwich.

Ned is survived by his son, Ned Jr. and his wife Sally of Concord, N.H.; his daughter, Shirley Jean and her husband Ronald Titcomb of Woowich; his grandchildren, Gregory Helms Titcomb and his wife Michelle Weissman of South Burlington, Vt., Margaret Helms Cimini and her husband Peter of Somerville, Mass., and Kelly Helms Titcomb of Woolwich; his great-grandson Edgar Robert Cimini of Somerville Mass., and many nephews, nieces and dear friends.

The family wishes to thank Karen Titcomb, Ron’s sister, and the wonderful staff of the many programs and services of Miles Memorial Hospital.

A memorial Ssrvice is being planned for Sunday, August 11 at the First Congregational Church of Wiscasset at 2 p.m. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to Miles Home Health and Hospice in Damariscotta or Goodwill Industries of Northern New England in Portland in Edgar James Helms’ name.