Edwin R. Ambrose died on Wednesday, March 18, after a long illness. He was 80 years old. Ed was born on July 23, 1928 in Syracuse, N.Y., the oldest of three children. He moved to Detroit, Mich. at the age of 10 with his family. After high school graduation, Ed joined the Marines, stationed in Cherry Point N.C., for the last year and a half of World War II. Following the Marines, he attended the University of Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in history in 1952. Ed met his wife, Nancy, while there, and they were married in 1953. In 1959, Ed and Nancy and their three children, Robert, William, and Sarah, moved to Darien, Ct.

Ed began his business career as a salesman with Abex Corporation and remained with the company for over 35 years, last as a director of export and licensing. Most of these years were spent traveling around the world, with Japan and India among his most frequent destinations. He circled the world 37 times.

In 1988, Ed and Nancy moved to Gaborone, Botswana. Ed had a contract with USAID, consulting with the Botswana Ministry of Commerce and Industry and writing speeches for the President of Botswana. After four years in Africa the couple retired to the Vineyard.

Ed volunteered for the land bank and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum for many years. He wrote several articles on the history of whaling for The Dukes County Intelligencer. Ed loved sailing, owning many sailboats over his lifetime. His favorite was his first boat, the Willy Wisp, a Pearson/Alberg 35 that he sailed in Corinthian races on the Great Lakes as well as the East Coast. Ed was once a member of the Noroton Yacht Club and the Edgartown Yacht Club.

Ed is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy of Edgartown; his son Robert Ambrose, of Talkeetna, Alas. and Robert’s two sons, Nicolas and Corey; his son William Ambrose, of Acton, and his wife, Amy Davis, and their two children, Emily and Whitney; and his daughter, Sarah Ambrose, of Maynard. Ed is also survived by his sister, Marion Benedict, of Redford, Mich., and brother, Martin Ambrose, of Houston, Tex.

His funeral will be private with interment in the New Westside Cemetery in Edgartown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s name to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, P.O. Box 1310, Edgartown, MA 02539.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.