Edward Leon Betts

Edward Leon Betts Jr. was the eldest of seven children born to Edward L. (Sr.) and Mary Evelyn Betts in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 4, 1941. He attended St. Louis Parochial grade school and De La Salle Academy. In 1958, he graduated from high school a few weeks short of his 17th birthday, and the following November he joined the U.S. Coast Guard.

After completing his initial Coast Guard electronics training, while home on leave, he met the love of his life, Sylvia Piontek. Upon finding out that he was going to be stationed in Argentia, Newfoundland, he called Sylvia from Boston and proposed. When she said “yes,” he hitchhiked from Boston to Kansas City, and they put together a small church wedding, and were married on June 28, 1960.

In addition to Newfoundland, his service in the Coast Guard included assignments in Salem, Massachusetts; Quonset Point, Rhode Island; Elizabeth City, North Carolina; St. Petersburg, Florida; and the last four years in Astoria, Oregon, where he retired in December 1978.

Ed was always involved in his children’s activities, coaching various sports and participating in Boy Scout outings. His love of sports continued even after his children grew, and he refereed many sports throughout the years. His 35 years of refereeing football included city league, grade school, high school and one season

of semi-pro football.

As active members of St. Mary, Star of the Sea church and school, Ed and Sylvia worked on numerous fundraisers to support the students. Ed was very active in the parish as a lay minister, including scheduling the lay ministries for nearly a dozen years. He was also heavily involved with the Knights of Columbus locally and at the state officer level. He stayed very active locally up until his diagnosis of cancer.

Ed was preceded in death by his father, Edward; his mother, Evelyn; a brother, James Betts; and a granddaughter, Erin Betts.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia; and his children, Ed (Julie) Betts, Randy (Janet) Betts, Denise (Mark) Gagnon, Joseph Betts and Mike Betts. He also has 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2017, at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, followed by a Mass at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made the local council Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund.