Edward Thorvald Eilertsen

Edward Thorvald Eilertsen, 90, of Lewsiville passed away Monday June 7, 2021. He was born March 7, 1931 in Elizabeth, NJ.  He was preceded in death by his parents Edward Herbert Eilertsen and Thora Olsen Eilertsen; his sister, Andrea Kristine Eilertsen; and his son, Jonathan Edward Eilertsen.  He is survived by his beloved son Ethan Brooks Eilertsen (Terry) of Berthoud, CO; daughters Carrie Morgan Nygren (Lars) of Rattvik, Sweden, Amy Barnard Eilertsen (Ralph Hoehn) of Hanover, NH; grandson Edward Matthias Eilertsen of Phenix City, AL; granddaughters Linnea Hoglund of Mora, Sweden and Juilia Hoglund of Uppsala, Sweden; extended family in Norway; and, of course, Annemarie Stanford and her family. Edward accomplished more in his lifetime that any 10 people combined.  Too many to list, but here is a sampling of some of his favorite accomplishments:

Bicycle Riding and Racing

Hang Gliding and flying in almost anything

Painting (pictures, although really good at painting walls too!)

Playing Piano and Writing Songs (taught himself to play again after a significant stroke)

Poetry

Acting in community theatre (he was a ham!)

Birdwatching

Hiking (Mt Washington at least 6 times)

U.S. Patent #4,902,567 (luminescence for that glow-in-the-dark watch and clock)

Reading (usually had at least 3 books going at once)

Travel

Photography and Darkroom

Columnist for local paper in VT

B.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering University of New Haven 1961

Business Owner, Technical Products Inc in Hamden, CT (Annemarie’s first job!)

U.S. Navy 1951-1955

First Selectman, Town of Corinth, VT

Zoning Enforcement Officer, Town of Madison, CT

Snowmobiling

Horticulture

Animal Husbandry and Farming

Breadmaking (and bread eating)

Volunteer Fireman (President North Madison CT Vol Fire Co)

Marksmanship

The one thing Edward didn’t ever do was sit still.  He was always working at something, building something, making the world a better place.  He held some interesting jobs in his lifetime, but his all-time favorite was VAST–Vermont Association of Snow Travelers.  Edward was responsible for the funding from the VT Legislature for the snowmobile trails that crisscross he State of VT that he enjoyed and will be enjoyed by many for generations to come.   It was one of his proudest accomplishments. Above all, Edward was a kind and truly good man.  A very good man.  He loved his family unconditionally and never had a harsh word to say about anyone.  He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and his last visit was memorable because he got to introduce Annemarie to his family there. Edward and Annemarie’s love for each other spanned 56 years (with an insignificant 40-year gap).  In 2006, they met again.  A lot of history for both of them in that 40 years, but the last 15 years were joyful for both and worth the wait. in 2019, Edward moved to North Carolina with Annemarie and her mother (one of his best friends).  He loved the milder weather and longer days in North Carolina, the beautiful Carolina blue sky and “supervised” the planting of tomatoes and flowers (never as good as he could do himself).   He loved drives in the country, sitting in his favorite chair in the sunroom and ice cream (vanilla, of course, except when he was feeling like taking a risk and ventured into cookies and cream).  When looking at all he accomplished, it is no wonder he finally got tired. Our hearts are broken and he will be greatly missed every single day.