Edwin Ljostad, 89, of Madison, passed away on Aug. 25. He was born June 6, 1929, in City Island, New York, son of the late Kittle and Bessie Ljostad.
He leaves his wife Carol; son Gary Ljostad of Hampton Bays, New York; and daughters Laurie Ljostad (Joe Sorbo) of New Haven, and Jan (Paul) Childs of North Haven. He was grandfather to Winter Marshall, Kyli (Ryan) Jones, Cory (Megan) Brulotte, Abby Brulotte, and Billy Lavinio; and great-grandfather to Jocelyn Camacho and AJ and Nate Jones. He also leaves behind sister-in-law Linda Knopf (Oliver Wilson), brother-in-law Alan (Lynn) Blake and Bob (Bridget) Knopf, nephew Peter (Mary) Knopf, and Lynn Middleton.
Ed graduated from New York University and then furthered his education at Fairfield University. He lived in City Island, New York, for many years and owned a shipyard at City Island Yacht club. He then moved to Madison in 1966, when he started teaching woodworking at Staples High School in Westport. With a passion for skiing, he started the school ski team and was its first coach. After retirement he went on to volunteer at the Westbrook Hunt Club, building beautiful and unique horseshow jumps. Ed and his wife Carol were longtime members of the Madison Winter Club, where they had many friends and great memories. Ed loved walking to the beach with his wife Carol and sitting for hours. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play at East Wharf Beach.
Ed was predeceased by his brother Rodney Ljostad, sisters-in-law Betty Ljostad and Barbara Blake, and niece Leslie Knopf.
He will be remembered by all to be a kind and gentle man, who always had something positive and nice to say about everyone and everything.
Thank you to Yale-New Haven Hospital, Beacon Hospice, and Branford Hills Health Care.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, Sept. 23 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison.