May 1, 1935 to May 28, 2023

If it is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. This was the motto he lived by, and it was very obviously a key to his success.

Ed passed away suddenly on May 28th, 2023, after having a procedure at St. Joseph Hospital. Ed was born May 1st, 1935 to Arlie and Cecilia Pinnow. He was raised in Wenatchee and worked hard on the family farm, however, what he really wanted to be doing was racing cars. At 18 he built his first “race car” and was known all over Chelan, Manson and Wenatchee for beating anyone in a street race that had the nerve to challenge him. Wenatchee was where he first met his soon-to-be wife, Diane Young, who had moved there in her senior year. It didn’t take long for Diane to hear the name Ed Pinnow and his fast cars.

They married in 1956 and moved to Renton where Ed got a job working for Boeing where he quickly moved up the ladder and became an inspector. He took every extra class he could and soon learned to weld. In 1957 they had a son Mike. Always wanting more, Ed left Boeing and started his own auto repair shop and gas station. He heard of a job opening in a place called Friday Harbor. In 1965, the family moved to the Island. It didn’t take long for Ed to start his own car repair business, Island Parts and Service, which was always advertised on his race cars. Oh, yes, he was still doing that. He also became a commercial fisherman as well.

In 1969, daughter Danielle was born. In the early 1970s he purchased the 76 gas station, the one that brought him to the island. After adding Goodyear tires to the business he sold his fishing boat. Later he added the Little Store and had a six-bay garage with several mechanics until Island Pars and Service became Island Petroleum Services. He was always looking ahead and said “people will always need gas and food” so that is what he did. Ed was proud and often said, “Not bad for a poor farm kid.”

When he retired at the age of 58, he got to spend more time at his place at Lake Chelan, pleasure fishing and feeling close to his mom there. At home here, he was an avid gardener and loved to cook, always in large quantities. Ed was preceded in death by his wife Diane of 65 years. He is survived by his son Mike, daughter Danielle (Thad), granddaughters Melisa & Georgia (Sean) and great grandchildren Sawyer and Paisley.He is already greatly missed by his family.

At his family’s request, honorary donations in Ed’s name may be made to: Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor, P.O. Box 1355, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or Island Haven Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 428, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

A service will be held at the San Juan Island Grange on Saturday, June 24 at noon.