(Photo illustration by DERRY POLICE) A photo illustration paying tribute to the late longtime Derry police Chief Edward Garone was posted on the Derry Police Department website following Garone's passing last week. Services are scheduled for later this week.

DERRY — A graveside service with military honors is scheduled for Thursday to honor the life of U.S. Marine and nearly six-decade police officer Edward B. Garone, who died last week, four days shy of what would have been the 58th anniversary of his debut in the field of law enforcement.

The service will begin at 9 a.m. at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery on Route 3 in Boscawen, and will conclude with military honors, according to the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, which is handling the arrangements.

Six weeks after returning from a three-year tour in Iwakuni, Japan, with the U.S. Marine Corps, Garone joined the Lebanon Police Department on Oct. 15, 1964, and was soon promoted to captain.

Garone was just 29 when he was hired chief of police in Derry, a post he held for more than 50 years until retiring Sept. 30.

State Attorney General John Formella was among numerous public and elected officials who paid tribute to Garone.

“While we are saddened to learn of his passing, we are inspired by his lifetime of selfless public service,” Formella said in a statement. “Chief Garone will long be remembered for his dedication to the people of New Hampshire and his half-century of work leading the Derry Police Department.”

Garone is survived by his wife of 57 years, Blanche (Wormwood) Garone; a son, Michael Garone and his wife, Rebecca; and a daughter, Vicky Moran and her husband, Frank.

He also leaves three grandchildren and two foster grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Garone’s name to the Greater Derry Boys & Girls Club. To donate, go to www.derrybgclub.org and click on the “how to help” link, or send the donation to the Greater Derry Boys & Girls Club, P.O. Box 140, East Derry, NH, 03041.

A full obituary can be found at https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/269749.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.