Edward Rollins
May 22, 1920 – March 25, 2012
Not only a legend in his own mind but a true island treasure died March 25, 2012. Eddie was born May 22, 1920 the sixth child of seven children to Mike and Anna Rollins of Minneapolis. Minnesota.
The army brought Eddie to Bainbridge and while clearing snow off the roads in Eagledale he met island born Helen Serol. Eddie was stationed in Bremerton but on the weekends he would ride the boat from Bremerton to Point White Dock and walked to Eagledale where he and Helen would walk the Foster’s Field (Fletcher’s Bay) to dance the night away to live bands. He then walked Helen home and as told to me by Dad he would run as fast as he could back to catch the last boat.
Well it seems only logical after all that running that on May 6th, 1944 Eddie and Helen were married. They started house in Eagledale and he was shipped off to war. On his return Eddie was reunited with Helen and a baby daughter Susan. Eddie went to work for the Lynwood Post Office where President Eisenhower appointed him Postmaster. Almost nine months to the day he came home, daughter Sandra was born.
As if there wasn’t enough work to do with a young wife and two baby girls he somehow found time to help start the first Bainbridge ambulance of which he was a driver. Later in life he helped start 911. Dad love to play basketball and once played against the Harlem Globetrotters. He emceed talent shows at Glenn and Luci Nolta’s Lynwood Theatre and also emceed soap box derbies. They’d start by Blakely School and would run down towards Blakely Harbor. Eddie was a member of the Legion and Rotary and somewhere between all that their third daughter Shelley was born.
When Eddie was Postmaster he would get letters to Santa every Christmas and thought they should be answered and not thrown away so he became Santa and wrote every child back. He also played Santa at American Marine Bank. He’d wear a mike and the parents would give him information. The kids eyes would get so big when he’d mention siblings and pets names, how they were doing in school. Somehow he would also sneak in bell ringing at Town & Country Market. Eddie sold real estate where he made many friends, and worked at American Marine Bank doing money runs, baseball tickets, PR, and he had all the candy.
Our Dad did many more things to help people, like bringing food, clothing, and toys to people in need. Having Navy boys over who couldn’t go home for the holidays stay at our house. He was a true humanitarian who loved life, his family, friends and really cared about his community.
Eddie leaves behind daughters Susan Campbell of MO. Shelly Henderson of Bainbridge Island, grandsons Chris Capmbell of MO. Eddie and Joe Henderson of Bainbridge Island, granddaughter Michele Herbert of MO, great grandchildren Halle, and Anna Herbert, and Ty Campbell. Eddie is preceded in death by wife Helen, grandson Ty McCollough, and daughter Sandra McCollough.
At our Father’s request there will be no services. If you’d like to help us remember Dad a donation to Bainbridge Island Ambulance Association where his grandson Eddie works today would be highly appreciated.
Our Dad if he could would like to thank you all for your friendship and laughter he shared with you over the years. He truly cherished you all.
Bainbrdge Island Ambulance
P.O. Box 11548
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Please sign the online Guest Book at:
Please sign the online Guest Book at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Come and enjoy a time of remembering a dear friend and true Islander.
There will be a gathering held on April 7, 2:00 PM at the American Legion Hall, 7880 N. Bucklin Hill Rd., Bainbridge Island.
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