Paul K. Edman of Madison passed away peacefully on Dec. 20 at Middlebury Convalescent Home. Paul was born Dec. 28, 1931, in Guilford Sanatorium, and was the husband of the late Alice (Crilly) Edman. He was the son of the late Paul M. and Emily J. (Minella) Edman of Madison.

He attended Hand Consolidated School, Madison, Clinton Grammar School, and Bordentown Military Institute in Bordentown, New Jersey. He graduated from Quinnipiac College with a B.S. in Business Administration.

Paul grew up in the family “Royal Scarlet Store” in downtown Clinton, until World War II food rationing forced its closure in late 1942. Subsequently, the family business was the Shoreline Diner on East Main Street, Clinton. Paul then began his banking career as a teller at Clinton National Bank while commuting to Quinnipiac College. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served until 1957, attending basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Most of his Army service was at the 7th US Army Stock Control Center in Stuttgart, (West) Germany. Paul enjoyed his service time in Germany, establishing lifelong friendships. He was proud of receiving the Good Conduct Medal and Honorable Discharge upon separation. After military service, Paul continued his banking career as a state bank examiner and then as auditor at Tradesmens Bank (subsequently CBT) in New Haven and Dime Savings Bank in Wallingford. He then worked in maintenance at Hammonassett Beach State Park until his retirement.

Paul was the widower of Alice (Crilly) Edman. They were married for almost 48 years. He is survived by his children, John Edman and his wife Linda of Middlebury, Jane Phillips and her husband Sean of Longmont, Colorado, and Nancy Edman of Old Saybrook. He is also survived by two grandsons, Owen Phillips and Hunter Krebs. He was predeceased by his sister Grace (Edman) Stewart; and also by an infant son Carl Edman.

Paul is remembered for his kindness, service and recollections. He was a member, lay reader, and chalice administrator both at St. Andrew’s Church in Madison, and Church of the Holy Advent in Clinton. He was a member of the American Legion Griswold Post 79, and Branford Elks Lodge 1939. He was active for many years in the Masons, having served as a District Deputy, and was Secretary of Madison Lodge No. 87 for almost 45 years. He was also a recipient of the Pierpont Edwards Medal from the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, an active Shriner and Mensa member.

Paul was a wonderful historian, especially of all things Connecticut. There is an African proverb that says when on old person dies, “A library burns to the ground.” With Paul’s passing, vivid recollections of people, places, and events on the Connecticut Shoreline in the 1930s, and 1940s, are gone.

The family would like to thank the staff of Middlebury Convalescent Home for their excellent care and compassion.

Graveside services were held on Paul’s birthday, Dec. 28, in West Cemetery, 71 Jannas Lane, Madison. Friends called prior to services on Dec. 28, at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Edman may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394; https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/giving. For more information or to send an online condolence for the family, please visit www.GuilfordFuneraIHome.com.