Edward T. Fifield, Ted to friends and family, passed away April 3, 2013 in Meredith, New Hampshire at the age of 90 from complications after a fall and broken hip. He is predeceased by his wife Marjorie (Smith) Fifield (1996) and son Brian Fifield (1995). Ted is survived by his sister Hazel Nelmes of Wickwar, England; son Terry Fifield and wife Cheryl of Plymouth, NH; son Michael Fifield and wife Kathleen of North Babylon, NY; son Gary Bruce Fifield of Mastic, NY; and five grandchildren, Teddy, Caitlin, Ethan, Billy, and Mikey.
Ted was born July 21, 1922 in Wickwar, County of Wilts, England to Harold Fifield and Emily Jane (Marklove) Fifield. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) after graduating from Katharine Lady Berkeley's Grammar School in 1938. Ted was trained in aircraft maintenance and served in the RAF for more than 12 years with tours of duty in England, Africa, India, Italy, and Canada among other places.
Ted married Marjorie Adeline Smith in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on April 21, 1950. After their wedding the couple returned to England where Ted served out his tour with the RAF. In 1953 Ted and Marge returned to Edmonton where Ted began his civilian life. In 1954 he joined Rolls Royce Aeronautics of Canada beginning a career that spanned 43 years. In 1960, after spending six months with Rolls Royce in Turkey, Ted moved his family to Massapequa, New York, where he worked for Rolls Royce North America out of J.F.K. and LaGuardia Airports until January 1986. At the age of 63 Ted elected to transfer to the Rolls Royce office at Boeing Field near Seattle, WA. He stayed with Rolls Royce until his retirement at age 70 and then worked as a contractor for a few more years. Ted is well respected and remembered by Rolls Royce colleagues and customers for his dedication and knowledge. After retirement Ted made frequent trips to New York and Alaska to visit his sons and their families. He enjoyed yard work at his home in Sammamish, WA and was especially interested in his grandchildren's sports careers and fishing in Alaska. Ted moved to the Bellewood Retirement Community in Issaquah, WA in 2005 and to assisted living in Franklin, NH in 2013.