I went to the nursing home last evening as I was told Ed would not last much longer. I stood with him for a time and talked to him, but he did not respond. I touched his hand, said good by and left.
I first met Ed in 72 or so when I moved back to town after being in the Army and starting my first job. He was a retired fire fighter who had managed the hunting and fishing dept of a local discount store. He had gone off on his own and bought an old school house that he turned into a retail store. His wife took care of the books and such.
Originally he had boats, motors, and the usual hunting and fishing stuff. They soon got out of the boat and motor business and added archery supplies. My first receipt I can find is for a HS (Wesson) 357 that I bought late in 72. After a time, I traded that for a stainless Security Six, which I still have. I have a folder full of receipts of various guns and item I have bought there.
I bought my RCBS Jr there on the condition that his high school age son come to my house to set it up and show me how to use it. The son did and we have been close friends since.
Ed was a WWII vet, he just turned 90. He was in Washington DC when Pearl Harbor was attacked and his unit was assigned to be additional security for the White House and FDR. He was later sent to Hawaii and served there for the remainder of the war.
He was very proud of his fire dept service and was very active in the Shrine and the local retired fire fighters. He could tell you about every major and many minor fires here for the past 60 years or so.
His son runs the store now with help from his son who is a student at the local college. The grandson is very computer savvy and has done much for internet sales.
I "work" there from time to time. I help with chores, answer the phone and go for lunch. People ask why I don't work there more and I answer I know nothing about fishing or archery and if I made $100 per week, I would spend $300.
I will miss Ed, but his family and the business will hopefully continue on.
I first met Ed in 72 or so when I moved back to town after being in the Army and starting my first job. He was a retired fire fighter who had managed the hunting and fishing dept of a local discount store. He had gone off on his own and bought an old school house that he turned into a retail store. His wife took care of the books and such.
Originally he had boats, motors, and the usual hunting and fishing stuff. They soon got out of the boat and motor business and added archery supplies. My first receipt I can find is for a HS (Wesson) 357 that I bought late in 72. After a time, I traded that for a stainless Security Six, which I still have. I have a folder full of receipts of various guns and item I have bought there.
I bought my RCBS Jr there on the condition that his high school age son come to my house to set it up and show me how to use it. The son did and we have been close friends since.
Ed was a WWII vet, he just turned 90. He was in Washington DC when Pearl Harbor was attacked and his unit was assigned to be additional security for the White House and FDR. He was later sent to Hawaii and served there for the remainder of the war.
He was very proud of his fire dept service and was very active in the Shrine and the local retired fire fighters. He could tell you about every major and many minor fires here for the past 60 years or so.
His son runs the store now with help from his son who is a student at the local college. The grandson is very computer savvy and has done much for internet sales.
I "work" there from time to time. I help with chores, answer the phone and go for lunch. People ask why I don't work there more and I answer I know nothing about fishing or archery and if I made $100 per week, I would spend $300.
I will miss Ed, but his family and the business will hopefully continue on.
