CHESHIRE, Mass. – Edward Franklin Chilson, 58, of Cheshire died Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at the Berkshire Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. 

Born in North Adams on April 6, 1958, the son of the late Frank S. and Esther P. Putnam Chilson, Ed was educated in local schools and was a 1976 graduate of Drury High School and a 1978 graduate of Greenfield Community College.

Ed was a local self-employed land developer for 40-plus years and specialized in subdividing real-estate and developing it appropriately.

Ed was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a proud member of the National Rifle Association. He was a loving father brother and friend.

Ed is survived by his daughter, Esther Rose Chilson of Berkshire; his fiancé, Molly Blanchard Casbeer of Cheshire; his sister; Nancy Jane Donnelly of Dalton; his brothers, Arnold "Skippy" Clough and his wife Julie of Rutland, Vt., Richard Clough and his wife Lynn of Annapolis, Md, Lawrence E. Chilson and his wife Joyce of Middleton, N.H., and David F. Chilson and his wife Deirdre of North Adams; his former wife, Candida M. Rufo of Berkshire; his stepchildren Caila and Robert; his sister-in-law Carolyn Chilson of Buckland; and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

He was predeceased by his brother Frank Stanley Chilson, who died March 29, 2008.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Edward Franklin Chilson, who died April 19, 2016, will be held Saturday, April 23, at 1030 a.m. at the Dery-Cheshire Funeral Home, 121 State Road, Cheshire. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery in North Adams. 

Calling hours will be held Friday, April 22, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In Lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Ed may be made to the Esther Rose Chilson Education Fund established at Greylock Federal Credit Union (660 Merrill Road, Pittsfield) in care of the funeral home.