April 15, Edward J. “Ned” Parker, 85, a lifelong resident of Guilford, passed away peacefully at his home. Mr. Parker was born in New Haven on Jan. 28, 1938, the son of the late Edward Lincoln Parker and Wilhelmina (Kirchner) Parker.

Ed is survived by his longtime partner Elizabeth Evarts. Devoted father of Sandra and David Sulkowski of Guilford and Gary Parker and Lucille Kelly of Guilford. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Parker and Margaret Sulkowski, Stephanie and Michael Fumiatti, Justin Parker, and Melissa Parker, and a great-granddaughter, Nora Sulkowski. Brother of Kenneth D. Parker (Laura) of Madison and Robert W. Parker of Guilford. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and a good friend Walter Coady of Killingworth.

Ed was a 1956 graduate of Guilford High School and a member of Future Farmers of America, in which he was part of a judging team that had traveled to Kansas for a competition. Ed proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy and was deployed with the Seabees. He was stationed in Cuba and worked on the construction of a Naval base. Before starting his own business (1968), New England Coffee Service, Ed was a store manager for First National Stores.

Friends were invited to calling hours on April 19 at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. Funeral Services followed at the Guilford Funeral Home. Burial with military honors was at Alder Brook Cemetery, 375 Boston Street, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Guilford Volunteer Fire Dept, 390 Church St., Guilford; www.guilfordfire.com/ or Guilford Land Conservation Trust, PO Box 200, Guilford, CT 06437; www.guilfordlandtrust.org. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.