EDWARD THORPE

June 3, 1930 - April 17, 2010
SOUTH BEND - Edward was co-owner of Thorpe's Marine, a three-generation family business from 1927 to 1987. He was an active member of the community, as a member of the South Bend Power Squadron, and officer and commodore of the South Bend Cruising Club, and one of the founding members of the South Bend Snowmobiling Club as well as a member of the Red Cross Civil Defense.

In the blizzard of 1978, Edward, and the other Snowmobiling club members, under the direction of Lou Gillespie of the Red Cross and Don German of the Civil Defense, rescued community members from the blizzard, delivered medications, and transported emergency illnesses to the local hospitals.

He served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War as a lineman, laying phone lines and communications to the front line.

He was a 1948 graduate of John Adams High School.

He is survived by his wife, Constance (Connie Berquist), loving wife of 59 years; daughter, Linda Thorpe Gordon (Tom Gordon) of South Bend; sons, Tom Thorpe (Mary Kovach) of Cassopolis, MI, and Bruce Thorpe of Riveria Beach, FL; grandchildren, LeighAnn Jeffers, Scott Jeffers of South Bend, Edward Gordon, Grant Gordon and Christine Gordon of South Bend, and Chad Thorpe, Travis Thorpe and Brandon Thorpe of Cassopolis, MI; and his brother, Rolland Thorpe (Helen) of Granger, IN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George V. Thorpe, Mildred Thorpe; sister, Georgia Jean Bear (Thorpe); and brother, Jack Thorpe. Friends are invited to join the family in a celebration of his life at his home on Friday, April 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 1648 Vernerlee Lane, South Bend, 46635. Donations may be made to the Northern Indiana Food Bank, P.O. Box 11365, South Bend, IN 46634. To send condolences to the family, log on to www.McGannHay.com.