This past week was the hardest week of my life. I lost my father Ed Bashaw. He passed away from complications due to a heart attack. In case you missed it. Here is his obituary from the Duluth News Tribune. I miss you Dad. There will be more tributes coming.
Edwin Eugene Bashaw, 68, passed away on March 23, 2015 at St. Luke’s hospital due to complications from a heart attack.
Ed was born in Crosby, Minnesota to Earl and Helen Bashaw on March 28, 1946. Until he was 12, he spent his childhood on the farm in Deerwood Minnesota. His love for the outdoors and the solitude of the country life, began there. When he was 12, his family left the farm and moved to Duluth where he lived the rest of his life. While attending Duluth Central High School, he met the love of his life, Linda Doty. He graduated from high school in 1965, proposed to Linda on Christmas Eve that same year and then enlisted in the US Navy. He served on the USS Providence before returning home to care for his mom after the death of his dad in 1966. Ed and Linda were married on July 22, 1967 at Bethel Baptist Church and from then on, spent his lifetime devoted to caring for his wife and family. Ed and Linda raised their children in the city and in 2006, returned to his country roots and moved into his dream “3 car heated garage with a nice house attached.”
Ed was a true family man and family always came first, especially when it came to his wife Linda. He protected her, was her biggest cheerleader and loved her more than he could ever express. Many days, he would bring flowers or a card, just to let her know he loved her. He always called her on the way home to make sure she didn’t need anything. Every morning, no matter the weather, he would put on his slippers and drive to the mailbox to get the newspaper that he knew she loved to read. He changed the oil in her car, took the garbage cans to the curb, shoveled the driveway and rubbed her feet when they were cold – not because he had to, but because he wanted to. They loved to travel together. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan cruise.
Ed was happiest while holding a fishing pole, carrying a shot gun, sleeping in a tent or sitting by a campfire – especially if he was with his family. Some of Ed’s favorite memories and stories were about the fishing trips with his family, his father-in-law and his group of friends who made an annual trip to Canada. He was a true sportsman and he loved the outdoors. Ed and his dog Duke, spent countless hours in the woods watching for any new critter activity and keeping an eye out for the “one that got away.”
Ed could fix anything and he would help anyone at anytime. Whenever he visited his kids and grandkids, he completed their projects. He often bought “fixer uppers” like go-carts and mini bikes because he knew his grandkids would love them. He didn’t just build a deer stand, he built a place he could bring the kids so he could share his love for the outdoors with them.
Ed was never afraid of hard work. He started his own cleaning business , Bashaw Enterprises, Inc. while working at Russell Creamery in Superior, WI. He retired from the Duluth Transit Authority in 2008 after 15 years of service. Following retirement, he continued to drive for Stride part time, a job he loved. He was a member of Lakeview Covenant Church for 26 years where he served as Chairman of Facilities and Head Usher. He was a member of the Teamsters Local 356 as well as a member of the United Northern Sportman’s Club and a lifetime member of the NRA.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Helen Bashaw. Ed’s legacy will live on through his wife Linda, his children Jeanne (Eric) Osgood of Shoreview, MN, Dawn (Jason) Schuette of Stafford, VA, and Eddie (Heather) Bashaw of Duluth. Ed was proud to be Papa B. to his eight grandchildren, Jacob, Kate, Tyson, Olivia, Emma, Duncan, Cooper and Nora. We celebrate the time we spent with him here on earth and anxiously await the reunion in heaven where he has gone to be with his Savior and wait for us.
The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Mary Boylan and the nursing staff in the cardiac unit and ICU at St. Luke’s hospital. Their exemplary compassion and care for our family during this time was a blessing.
VISITATION: will be 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, March 27 in Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home, 925 East 4th St., Duluth. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. celebration service on Saturday, March 28 (Ed’s 69th birthday) at Lakeview Covenant Church, 1001 Jean Duluth Road, Duluth. Burial and military honors at Park Hill Cemetery following the service and luncheon. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial gifts to Lakeview Covenant Church or the United Northern Sportsman’s Club of Duluth.
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