HAUSER - Ed Peone knew Hauser as well as anyone.

Peone, who was mayor for 14 years, spent six years on the City Council during three different stints and lived in the lake community for more than 50 years, died of a heart condition Friday night. He was 59.

"Ed was a pleaser of the people," said Olita Johnston, Hauser's mayor, who served with Peone for several years at the city. "He wanted to make the people of Hauser happy."

Peone was mayor from 1993 to 2007. Most recently, he served on the City Council before resigning last year due to personal reasons.

Residents said Peone enjoyed giving back to the community he grew up in.

"He was very conscientious of the city's well being," said Jim Wallace. "He stayed the course."

An avid fisherman, Peone backed the Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition's efforts to protect the lake.

"He was supportive in our request for city funds for maintenance and landscaping of the rinse station," said JoAnn Wallace.

The opening of the station, held in conjunction with the city's 60th birthday celebration in 2007, was among the large community events Peone participated in.

Gary Mallon, who served as mayor before Peone, said Peone was a backbone for the town.

"I don't think he ever had a thought of leaving Hauser," Mallon said. "He was like a nail. He stayed right there and was a foundation of it all."

Mallon said Peone wasn't afraid to work outside City Hall.

"He'd get behind the wheel to remove snow," Mallon said. "It wasn't like he was just the boss."

Mallon said Peone, who worked at a sawmill near Oldtown, was even-keel even when times got tense at City Hall.

"I don't think he even raised his voice very much, and I've known him for years," Mallon said. "Even though people would tick him off at meetings, he'd stay calm. He was easy to work with and get along with."

Mallon said Peone wanted to ensure Hauser's growth was controlled so the town didn't lose its identity.

"His thought was, 'We live in the woods and let's try to keep it that way,'" Mallon said. "He'd go out and talk to people to get their feedback."

Peone's brother Jeff said the lake was important to Ed, who lived in the house he grew up in.

Jeff said Ed taught he and others how to fish and lent a hand to neighbors.

"He definitely had an attachment to the lake and making sure things functioned nice," Jeff said. "Every time I talked to him he'd be weighing out different options as far as trying to do the right thing for the area and making sure services were provided."