Edward F. Smith, Jr.

1929 — 2013

Edward F. Smith, Jr., 84, of Friday Harbor, Wash. passed away on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 at Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands in Friday Harbor.

Edward, an only child, was born and raised in Fall River, Mass., graduating from Durfee High School. He decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, and became an electrician apprentice in IBEW 501, Westchester County, N.Y.

He spent two years in the US Army, from 1951 to 1953, with the 200th Infantry, Dixie Division, US Army, and upon honorable discharge, resumed his career with IBEW 501.

In 1962 he took an opportunity to explore the Southwest, and secured a position with Lord Electric contractors as a project manager, where he worked on Titan II and Minuteman missile facilities in Tucson, Ariz. and Vandenburg Airforce Base, Calif.

From 1963 to 1985, Edward worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for two different electrical contracting companies.

Some of the notable projects he worked on included the 43-story Wells Fargo building in San Francisco, the 32-story Mutual Benefit Life building in San Francisco, the US Steel factory, a Hershey Chocolate factory, the IRS computer complex in Fresno, and a number of modular living/work/power building modules that were built in the S.F. bay area and shipped to the Alaskan north slope.

Retiring in 1985, but seeking waterfront property, he and wife, Rose, moved to Friday Harbor. When he grew restless shortly afterwards, he and Rose purchased and operated a dry cleaning business for several years. They then sold the business, and purchased a ranch on San Juan Island with the intent to convert it to a B&B.

After renovating the old school house on the property, the 10-room States Inn & Ranch opened for business in 1991. Thousands of guests have enjoyed the serenity and beauty of the 64 acres, and it also hosted the islands first BBQ cooking competition in 1996.

Edward relished the island life, and really enjoyed all the people he knew here. He embraced the life, the people, the camaraderie, and hosting family and friends here.

The island life fit him, and he enjoyed the island lifestyle. Edward was active in civic activities on San Juan Island, participating on the San Juan Island Board of Equalization, and the community water board.

Edward is survived by his two sons, Edward and Michael, living in California and Washington, respectively, and his granddaughter, Erin. He is also survived by JoAnn Sample, his longtime companion for the last seven years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first spouse, Rose.

A memorial service will be held in early 2014. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be provided in Edward’s name to the San Juan Theater, the San Juan Senior Center, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Edward, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

— Family of Edward Smith, Jr.