ST. GEORGE — Captain Edward B. Thorbjornson, often referred to as ‘Big Ed’, a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, reunited with his already crossed over family on December 20, 2024 at the age of 85.

Born September 29, 1939, Edward was the only child of Erik and Adrea Thorbjornson. Edward grew up in the town of Tenants Harbor, and attended the local schools, graduating from St. George High School in 1957.

He married Jaquelynn Kaler on November 18, 1956, with whom he had four children: Teresa, Edward, Gary, and Travis Thorbjornson.   

Edward was a talented and passionate fisherman for the entirety of his life. He began his fishing career on the Forty Fathoms Seafood vessel, chasing red fish on the Grand Banks. Captain Bud Powel took him under his wing and taught him the basics of ground fishing. Edward bought his first fishing vessel in the early 1960’s, the Anna-Lena. He day fished from the Midcoast to Portland. Edward’s success prompted others to start a day fishing fleet in the Midcoast area. His first boat was built in 1969-1970, a 54-foot wooden boat he named the Anna-Lena II, built by Lash Brothers boat builders. After fishing that boat for roughly three years he went back to Whinnie Lash and had his second boat built, the Shawanabec, before the fishing industry depleted inshore. His third boat, an offshore fishing vessel built by Ed Gamage, was a 68-foot steel boat named the Anna-Lena III. Through the rest of Edward’s life, he went on to own several more boats, even convincing Whinnie Lash to come out of retirement to build his last boat, the Anna-Lena IV.

Edward passed this fishing heritage down to his three beloved sons, Edward, Gary, and Travis Thorbjornson. With his sons, Edward started his own small fishing fleet, consisting of the Sirius, the Erika Lynn, the Lauren Dorothy, the Lauren Dorothy II, and the Anna- Lena IV. While his sons operated the fishing fleet, Edward created his own trucking company, A&S Trucking, which handled the majority of the fish caught by the Port Clyde fleet.

Apart from the fishing industry, Edward spent hours in the Maine woods hunting deer, turkeys, ducks, and other wildlife with friends and family. He enjoyed smelting at Cork Cove. Edward lived an adventurous life. He journeyed around the Arctic Circle with his grandson Jayce. He spent winters sailing around the Caribbean. He obtained his pilot’s license and survived a plane crash. He carried on the “Train Wreck” license plate after surviving a collision with a train in 2011. Most important to Edward was his deep compassion and endless love for his family and friends.

Edward was predeceased by his parents, Erik (Baboo), and Adrea (Nanna) Thorbjornson; the loving mother of his children, Jaquelynn Kaler; his longtime companion of thirty years, Gloria Beal; and his two beloved sons Captain Gary E. Thorbjornson, and Captain Travis L. Thorbjornson.

Edward leaves behind his daughter, Teresa Thorbjornson and her husband Jacques, and their son Jayce Thorbjornson of Tenants harbor; his oldest son, Edward E. Thorbjornson and his wife Stephanie, their daughter Anna-Lena Thorbjornson, and his daughter Jaquelyn Thorbjornson.

Edward also leaves behind Gary’s children, Erika and Garrett Thorbjornson; and Travis’s children, Zachary, Lauren, and Elias Thorbjornson along with their spouses and six great-grandchildren, Natalie, Gary, Nolan, Meadow, Marcelline, and Weston. Ed also leaves behind Bonnie, Buddy, Melanie, and Micheal Beal and their children.

Ed’s smile was warm and always welcoming. His eyes were kind and held a depth of history within them. He had the biggest heart and a special way of making you feel as though he was genuinely happy to see you. He leaves behind a legacy that will have an impact on those who love him, forever. 

A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at 12 Noon, on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the Rockland Lodge of Elks, 210 Rankin Street, Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 66 Mussey Road, Scarborough, ME 04074.

To share a memory or condolence with Ed’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.