IRVINGTON—Edwin W. Thurber passed away on June 20, 2018. He was 89 years old.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a ninth generation Dutch Descendant and had ancestors who fought in the American Revolution.
Ed was a City Champion in pole vaulting and went on to receive his bachelor’s and master’s at NYU on full scholarship. He went into the proud profession of teaching at Carey High School, Franklin Square, N.Y., as chair of the Industrial Arts Department.
Ed married his high school sweetheart, Joan Senior, and remained married for 70 years. After moving his family to Garden City, Long Island, N.Y., and teaching for 35 years, he and Joan retired to the Northern Neck.
Here, Ed started his second career, in the furniture restoration business when he opened the Renaissance Shop. He was a master artisan and designer of custom built items.
Ed and Joan made many friends and customers all across the Commonwealth. They were thrilled with their new home life in the beautiful Chesapeake Bay area and never looked back.
Ed’s final project was the restoration of a ships’ wheel for the Steamboat Era Museum, of which he was extremely proud.
He leaves his daughter, Barbara; sons David and Robert; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 20, at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury.
