July 15, 2015
We have lost one of our
real heroes.
Ed Sparks, 59, a former
longtime first responder with the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department,
passed away suddenly July 8 at his Bailey Island home.
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| Edward M. Sparks |
Sparks, a carpenter, was a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician for more than two decades and served for several years as the OBIFD rescue captain.
During his time in the
department, Sparks and his wife, Colette, were known as tireless volunteers,
responding to hundreds of medical rescue calls day and night. Over the years,
they treated hundreds of island residents and visitors, comforting them and their
loved ones in times of distress and saving lives.
Both Ed and Colette Sparks retired from OBIFD at the end of 2013.
“Ed was the face of
medical rescue on the islands for many years and saved countless lives during
his time,” said Mike Helfgott, president of the OBIFD Board of Directors. “He
left a huge void in the department when he retired and his passing leaves an
even bigger hole in the entire community. He was a real treasure and will be
missed terribly by all who knew him and benefitted from his selfless dedication
to serving his neighbors.”
Many current OBIFD members
formed an honor guard at his funeral on July 15 in Brunswick, saluting Ed and
his family as they entered and left the services. They were joined by
volunteers from the Cundy’s Harbor and Harpswell Neck fire and rescue
departments, along with members of the Brunswick and Bath departments, the
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Navy.
Rescue 3, the OBIFD
ambulance, was draped in black bunting and posted outside the church during the
funeral.
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| Ed and Colette Sparks |
“It was an honor to salute Ed one more time,” said OBIFD Fire Chief Walter Johnson. “He meant so much to the department and the community for so long. He will be missed very, very much.”
Ed was born on November 4, 1955 in Springfield, MA, the son of Alfred and Frances Hamel Sparks. A graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, MA, he met his future wife, Colette Protzenko, as part of a regional singing group, Sing Out Springfield, whose mission was to bring people together and improve human relations within the community. They were married on November 23, 1974, in Springfield and were together for more than 40 years.
Ed was born on November 4, 1955 in Springfield, MA, the son of Alfred and Frances Hamel Sparks. A graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, MA, he met his future wife, Colette Protzenko, as part of a regional singing group, Sing Out Springfield, whose mission was to bring people together and improve human relations within the community. They were married on November 23, 1974, in Springfield and were together for more than 40 years.
He was a U.S. Navy
veteran, serving in Okinawa, Japan, and Australia, then moved to Maine in the mid 1970s as a
reservist at the Brunswick Naval Air Station. The couple soon began spending
summer vacations on Bailey Island and moved there full time in 1994. Ed, who
had experience in medical rescue, joined OBIFD soon after moving to the
community.
He is predeceased by
his father, Alfred, and a brother-in-law, Paul Protzenko.
In addition to Colette,
he is survived by his mother, Fran Sparks of Auburn, MA; a brother, Tom Sparks
of Auburn, MA; two sisters, Peg Sparks of Auburn, MA and Mary Ellen Sparks of
Florida; a sister-in-law, Traci Protzenko and her husband, Guy Silvester, of
Chester, MA; his Father-in-law, Harry Prozenko and his wife Beverly of Agawam,
MA; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; and his four Labrador
retrievers, Rose, Ella, Reme and Caramia.
In lieu of flowers,
contributions can be sent to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs
Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, www.guidingeyes.org, or the Orr's &
Bailey Islands Fire Department, P.O. Box 177, Orr's Island, ME 04066,
www.obifd.org.
