Edward L. Powers Obituary

Edward L. Powers, 79, who forever sought wisdom and generously shared it in his life journey, died peacefully on March 24, 2022, in Gloucester, MA. His survivors include his loving wife Ruth Mordecai, of Gloucester; son Edward Joshua Powers, of San Francisco, CA; daughter Caitlin Powers and husband Louis Gasparini, and grandchildren Mark, Matthew and Emma, of Brewster, NY; brother Larry Powers, of Greenwood, IN; niece Emily Winkelmann and her family, of Greenwood, IN; nephew Erin Powers and his family, of The Woodlands, TX; nephew Damon Powers and his family, of Fountaintown, IN; stepson Jonathan Slavet, of Burlingame, CA; and stepson James Slavet, of Hillsborough, CA. He was predeceased by his parents Leroy and Edith Powers and his twin brother Earl H. Powers.

Born on Feb. 4, 1943, in Meadville, PA, Ed graduated from Greenfield (IN) High School, Ball State University (B.A., English) and Cambridge College (M.A., Counseling). His professional successes included public service as an educator, work in the publishing industry, and then ownership of a New York trucking company. For the last 20 years and until his death, he served as a psychotherapist in private practice in Gloucester and at a clinic in Amesbury, MA.

A 40-year member of a twelve-step program, Ed helped hundreds achieve sobriety. Service to others was a cornerstone of his life. He was a dedicated friend and mentor in our community. Ed strived to not only listen to the people in his life, but truly hear them as well. He was a voracious reader and a prolific writer of fiction, including short stories and a mystery novel. He enthusiastically recommended books and articles based on the interests of his family and friends.

Ed loved becoming a grandfather, and he proudly followed the adventures of his grandchildren, both in person and from afar on his iPhone. In recent years, he expressed his love of family and friends with countless phone and Zoom calls and text messages.

In lieu of flowers, Ed's family requests donations to The Richard Rohr Center for Action and Contemplation (http://www.cac.org) or Care Dimensions (http://www.caredimensions.org). The family is especially grateful for Elin af Klinteberg's extraordinary care and love, and for the support of the Care Dimensions hospice program and Kelly Cook.

A memorial service will be held in the spring in Gloucester. Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.