Edward M. Cairns

WEST BOYLSTON – Edward M. Cairns, 61, of Prescott Street, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, January 22, 2011, after a courageous nine month battle with Mesothelioma.

He leaves his wife of nine years, Marcia J. (Wilkinson) Cairns; a brother, James H. Cairns of Madison, New Hampshire; many nephews and nieces including Ethan and Jenna Cairns both of Eaton, New Hampshire. He was born in Clinton, the son of Edward A. and Barbara F. Cairns and lived 50 years in West Boylston. Ed graduated from West Boylston High School in 1966 and from Worcester State College in 1971. He worked 25 years at Duncan Gillies Co., Inc in West Boylston and later for W. Gillies Technology in Worcester as a computer graphic designer, until retiring due to illness last year.

Deputy Chief Cairns held a distinguished career as a West Boylston firefighter for over 46 years. He was appointed to the Department as an Auxiliary Firefighter in 1966, and later as a call Firefighter/EMT in 1971. In 1980, he was promoted to Lieutenant which he served until being appointed a Captain in 1993. He served as a Captain until being promoted to the Deputy Chief in 2004. In 2006, he was appointed to Interim Fire Chief for a period of six months. He also served on the Board of Fire Engineers until it was disbanded in 2004, and served as Secretary of the West Boylston Fireman’s Association. He was a member of the Worcester West Fire Warden’s Association, Massachusetts Call Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and the Fire Chief’s Association of New England.

Ed enjoyed camping, antique car shows, visiting fire museums, travelling and most of all, spending time with his family. Eddie will be remembered for his quiet wit and his shy smile by all those who knew him, but most of all for his love of the Fire Service.

His family would like to thank the West Boylston Firefighters for all they did for Ed and his family during his illness. They would also like to thank Dr. David M. Jackman, Dr. Graeme Steele, Margaret McMullan, NP, Allison Hester, RN, and Kitty Hooper, RN from Dana Farber Cancer Center for all the wonderful and compassionate care they gave Ed throughout his illness.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 28th at the Miles–Sterling Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 29th at the First Congregational Church of West Boylston, 26 Central St., West Boylston. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, West Boylston. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to “Eddie’s Fund”, West Boylston Fireman’s Association, 39 Worcester Street, West Boylston, MA 01583.

To share a memory or express a condolence, please visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com