Born in Schenectady, New York on November 29, 1948, Ed moved to Ferndale, Michigan with his family in 1952. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 52 years; his two beloved children—son Thomas Edward (Elizabeth) and daughter Anne Elizabeth; grandsons Owen and Oliver; brother Douglas Ruffley (Nit) of Troy, Michigan, and sister Janice ( John) Morton of Royal Oak, Michigan; cousins Janet Rich and Kathryn Richardson of Madison, Wisconsin; brother-in-law Michael (Karen) Kaminski of Riverview, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews. Ed received his B.A. from Michigan State University in June, 1970. He and Mary were married on June 19, 1971 in East Lansing, Michigan. During their first four years of marriage, Ed served a total of two and half years in the United States Navy as a Line Officer aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Oriskany (CVA-34), homeported out of Alameda, California. He was discharged from active duty in 1975 as Lieutenant JG but remained in the United States Naval Reserve (at Broadhead in Detroit, Michigan) until 1989, honorably discharged as Lieutenant Commander.

After returning to Michigan, Ed earned his M.B.A. from MSU. He worked as a CPA for both public and private accounting firms until his retirement in 2011. Ed and Mary raised their family in southeast Michigan, treasuring family vacations hiking in America’s national parks. The American Southwest was a favorite destination. Family get-togethers with his sister, motorcycle trips with his brother, and visiting his Wisconsin cousins Died November 25, 2023 were other highlights.

An American history buff, he read extensively and could not pass up visiting historic sites. Other interests included music (he played trombone through college), and he appreciated listening to all types of musical genres. Since laughter is music, too, his dry sense of humor was always relevant to the matter at

hand.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Ed attended St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Northport, Michigan following Ed’s and Mary’s move to Suttons Bay in 2012. After building a new home, they moved to Omena, Michigan in 2013, appreciating daily the opportunity to live on the Bay, watch bald eagles fish near the water’s edge, and quietly encounter their woodland and shoreline neighbors. An additional bonus was the opportunity to host family and friends in their “Up North” home while hiking every possible trail in a 60-mile radius, and walking the beaches in every season. In his family’s hearts, he walks with them still.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 9 at St. Christopher’s Church of Northport with the family greeting friends at 10 a.m. Rev. Dr. Chrysanne Timm will officiate.

Donations may be made in his memory to: St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church PO Box 98 Northport, MI 49670; National Park Foundation give.nationalparks.org/ site/Donation; and Michigan Audubon Chapter www.michiganaudubon.org/ donate/.

Please share memories and condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.