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1912 - 2004
AGE: 92
BRISBANE, Edward J.
34270 Sharon Avenue
Paw Paw, Michigan
Died peacefully at his home on October 8, 2004. Ed was born on July 20, 1912, in Highland Park, MI, to the late Edward A. Brisbane and Edith Gertrude (Clements) Brisbane. On December 22, 1943, he married Mildred Emma Tighe at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Detroit, MI. Ed was Valedictorian of his class and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1930. He received his degree in bookkeeping and accounting from Parsons Business School. In 1934, Ed started working at the Kalamazoo Stove Company as a bookkeeper until he passed the Civil Service Exam and was hired as an IBM Supervisor at the Fort Wayne Detroit. World War II interrupted his career and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Following the war, Ed and his wife moved to Ventura, CA, where he was a partner in the Ventura Feed & Pet Store located on the wharf. In the mid-1950’s, Ed, his wife and two daughters moved back to Kalamazoo and then in 1958 they moved to Ackley Lake in Paw Paw. They briefly lived in Alto, MI, but moved back to the home they loved on Ackley Lake. Ed was employed as an Investigator for the United States Department of Labor out of the Grand Rapids office and then to the Kalamazoo and he remained with the Department until he retired in 1977. Ed was active in Scouting as a Boy Scout and Sea Scout and then later as a Troop Leader. As a Sea Scout he sailed the “Shadow” and “J.T. Wing” on Gull Lake and the “Oliver H. Perry”, a three-masted schooner, on Lake Michigan. Ed and his wife were patrons of the arts and especially enjoyed attending the Civic Theatre in Kalamazoo and the Barn Theatre in Augusta. They were also active square and round dancers. Ed enjoyed dancing even at the age of 90. He and his family were active members of the Episcopal Church. Ed was always committed to the work of the Church in the Community and was a dedicated pastoral visitor to shut-ins and those in need. He also was an active and vocal participant in three separate building campaigns. Ed loved to sail his boat whenever he could and loved to travel. His trips took him to New Zealand, the Fiji Islands, Tahiti, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii and Virgin Gorda, just to name a few. Ed was respected by all who knew him. He always put others needs and concerns above his own. He had a great sense of humor that is remembered by all who knew him. Ed is preceded in death by his wife Mildred, his parents Edward and Edith, his brother Bill, and his sisters Gertrude and Grace. He is survived by his daughters, Dawn Brisbane of Paw Paw, Barbara (Arthur) Rufner of Fort Wayne, IN, his four grandchildren (David Hull, Cameron Hull, Teri Rufner and Lori Rufner), many nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Frona “Toni” Ward of Kalamazoo and her son, Barry. The family extends special thanks to those who cared for Ed at the end, especially Patti, Jon and Gillian. Visitation will take place 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, (no visitation Monday) at ADAMS Funeral Home, Paw Paw. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Paw Paw, and interment will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Paw Paw. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Ed’s name to the St. Mark’s Construction Fund, 609 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079. To share a memory or condolence on line: www.timeformemory.com/adams
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There are currently 4 condolences.
Richard Gerke
Richard.Gerke@fmcsa.dot.gov
Friday October 22, 2004 at
10:34 AM
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I met Ed and Mildred at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in 1977. Ed and I had a few things in common, and as a result we became friends. He was supportive of me in various leadership positions I held at St. Mark's, and I occasionally asked Ed for advise and guidance. I was a guest for dinner at the Brisbane's home a few days before Mildred passed away, and was one of her pallbears. One particular memory about Ed and Mildred occurred in about 1981, I was house sitting from them, and a squirel get into the house via the fireplace chiminey. I finally got it out of the house, but only after it dug in all their potted plants, chewed the windew sills and ran up and down the drapes, as well as their clothing in the open closets. I thought they would really be upset when they returned home, but both Ed and Mildred took it well. I guess they just loved all of GODS creatures. I moved away from Paw Paw in 1986, and lost track of many of my old friends, I will miss Ed's friendship and wisdom.
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Paula Lupina
Monday October 18, 2004 at
5:28 PM
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I knew Mr. Brisbane from St. Mark's and he was initally a friend of my parents. My parents were also square dancers so I would see the Brisbane's at those events as well. In 1967, I was visiting a girlfriend and she was going to a square dance with her boyfriend. I went along planning to sit on the sidelines. However, plans change because Mr. Brisbane, always a gentleman, came over and asked me to dance. When I told him I didn't know how, he assured me that I had observed enough to be able to try it. That was my first square dance and it went well. He was a wonderful man that could make a gawky teenage feel confident to try something new in front of people. Later (20 years or so) I would run into Mr. Brisbane at the Civic Theater and it was always a pleasure. Mr. Brisbane was always a class act and I'm sure his family will miss him dearly - they were so fortunate to have him for so long.
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Daniel H. Ocharzak
danocharzak@earthlink.net
Wednesday October 13, 2004 at
6:04 PM
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Brisbane Family;I worked with Ed and he was an excellent Wage & Hour employee. We worked together in Grand Rapids,MI. He was a dedicated Investigator and supervisor who fought for the rights of the low paid workers, Child Labor fairness. Please accept my condolences. He also was a staunch member of NARFE who attempted to have the U.S. Government live up to their contractual obligations with their retired employees.
Sincerely,
Dan Ocharzak
District Director,Ret.
U.S. Dept. of Labor
Wage & Hour Div.
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Gloria Adams
Monday October 11, 2004 at
5:04 PM
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Dear Dawn and Barbara. My thoughts are with you and your families. Your Dad was a dear friend to our family for soooo many years!! I'll miss our periodic phone conversations! We had such a nice visit with him this summer.
Love to you all,
Gloria
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