Edward Clayton Rushton

WATERVILLE – Edward Clayton Rushton, 90, passed peacefully on March 1, 2026.

Born Jan. 19, 1936, in Oakland, to Irma (Doten) and Clayton Royden Rushton, Ed enjoyed a free-spirited childhood – skating on Messalonskee Stream, playing sandlot baseball, being a big brother to Donald, and exploring the woods. During one of those adventures, he fell from an embankment and broke his back.

He attended Hebron Academy, where he played football, hockey, and baseball, graduating in 1954. At Colby College, he played hockey, made lifelong friends, served as president of Zeta Psi, and graduated in 1958 with a degree in business administration.

Ed’s lifelong interest in understanding people led him through careers in teaching and entrepreneurship, and ultimately to more than 30 years as a licensed substance abuse counselor with United Way. In retirement, he enjoyed golf, duplicate bridge, tennis, spectator sports, and math and word puzzles.

He married Marjorie Ann Rancourt in 1961 and welcomed twin sons, Peter and Christopher, in 1962. Marjorie passed away in 1970. Ed later met Joyce Tracy and her daughter Jessey; they married in 1971 and raised their blended family on the Tracy property on Messalonskee Lake. They moved to Waterville in 2017, where the support of dear friends John and Sheila Lachance, and Suzie the dog helped them remain independent. Ed and Joyce were married 54 years.

Ed was predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Marjorie. He is survived by his wife Joyce; brother Donald and wife Nancy, and their children Sara and Erik; son Peter (wife Bethany Scherpf); son Christopher (wife Peggy), and their children Kaylee and Lucas (partner Mia Emery); daughter Jessey Manson (husband Parrish), and their children Johanna Hutchison (husband Dan) and Parrish Manson (wife Shannon).

Great-grandchildren include Charlotte Manson and Josephine and Eleanor Hutchison. He is also survived by many friends, including his bridge group.

The family extends heartfelt appreciation to the staff at MaineGeneral Gray Birch Rehabilitation and Long Term Care in Augusta for their exceptional care of both Edward and Joyce. With courage and reflection, Ed chose comfort at the end of life, concluding with his familiar phrase: “C’est la vie.”

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 21, 2025, at the Colby Alumni Center in Waterville. Visiting hours will be 9–11 a.m., followed by a memorial service from 11 a.m.–12 p.m., and a light lunch.

Interment will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, start a tradition by taking a loved one to lunch.