Edward Seymour Quest
March 8, 1926 - April 27, 2017

Memorial Service 5/25/17 1 PM
Amazing Grace Anglican Church
2450 NE Dixie Hwy
Jensen Beach FL 34958

Edward "Eddie" Quest's story began in a small cottage on City Island, in the Bronx, NY, on a cold, blustery day in March. He was the first born of Edith Johnson Quest and Edward Quest (originally Erik Kvist), Swedish immigrants who met in Brooklyn, NY, following their arrival at Ellis Island. As was the island custom, Dr. Lawrence arrived at the house, collected $25.00, and the dining room table was the place the delivery was accomplished. Eddie was baptized by a Lutheran pastor as an infant. When he was 14 months old he and Edith sailed to Sweden to visit her family. As they were crossing the Atlantic in May of 1927, a radio message was received that a young American was attempting a solo flight across the ocean. His name was Charles Lindbergh, and he was to fly right over the ship. The following year Eddie's brother Howard Rudolph Quest was born. The brothers had an adventurous childhood on the island. In the warmer months they were "water rats"; hanging around the beaches, docks, and "junk pile" building forts, swimming, sailing, sculling, and having chestnut wars. In wintertime, the snow and ice provided opportunities for sleigh riding, ice skating, and sledding. Because they were born on City Island, Ed and Howard officially earned the status of clam diggers. The family's home was adjacent to the City Island Yacht Club, where Ed Sr. operated a boat yard from 1926 until 1956. He employed up to 30 men during the busy season, even during the Great Depression, including boat builders, engine mechanics, and riggers. Eddie and Howard worked at the family business in between schooling and military service. Eddie sailed as crew in many sailboat races in Long Island Sound, as well as Bermuda.

Ed's natural affinity for the water continued to guide his life as he was commissioned into the Merchant Marines in October of 1946. His area of expertise centered around navigation. His world travels took him to many places including Helsinki, Indonesia, and Buenos Aires. He continued his professional studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and New York State Maritime College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

A true City Island gal and fellow clam digger, Marion Hearle captured the heart of Ed. The two were married at the Church of the Transfiguration (The Little Church Around the Corner) in Manhattan, on January 7, 1950. After honeymooning in Florida they purchased a beautiful Country Cape Cod in New Rochelle, NY. Several years later, with "sand in their shoes" they headed back south and put down roots in North Miami where Ed took over from his father as Owner and President of Florida Wire & Rigging Works (FWRW). Their home in the neighborhood of Breezeswept gained two blessed additions during those early years: Leland and Georgiana. Ed was dedicated to his professional calling at FWRW. He was honest, well respected, and operated his business with integrity. The company grew from the Miami branch to include offices in Puerto Rico, Pompano, and Orlando. Marion and Georgiana helped out in the sales office as needed. Lee was employed at the Miami branch for many years in the rigging and maintenance departments. In 1974, Ed and Marion designed and built their long-planned-for dream home on a beautiful waterfront lot on Biscayne Bay in the neighborhood of Sans Souci. Many happy memories were made there, including sailing the lil boat in the Bay, named "Wet Fanny". Other activities Ed loved were organizing weekend cruises to Nassau and attending Miami Dolphins games in the Orange Bowl as a 20 year season ticket holder.

Ed sold FWRW in the 1990's. Following retirement, he and Marion enjoyed travelling, volunteering, and twice-yearly visits with their perfect grandchildren. Attending Camp Jeep events in Charlottesville, Virginia with the Glasow family and cousin Ruth, a fellow clam digger were Summer highlights. As head of the HOA, endless hours were spent maintaining the steep acreage and monitoring the water springs at the Ford Mountain property. Service to his community through civic and church organizations was a vital component of Ed's life. He served as president of the Miami Shores Rotary Club, was named a Paul Harris Fellow, and was an active member of the Propeller Club. He was a founding member of the Fellowship of Companies for Christ.

In the 1960's, Ed and his family began summering in the calm, cool mountain wilderness of Western North Carolina. A tiny cabin was purchased in the quaint town of Highlands. This was the perfect refuge to escape the broiling heat of Miami during June, July and August. Days spent hiking, fishing, catching fireflies, gem mining, and relaxing on the porch were a blessing for all who gathered at Mirror Lake. Ed and Marion eventually gained more space by moving to a mountain-top abode near Sky Valley, Georgia, in 1986. The outpouring of hospitality and generosity offered to family and friends who visited the Quests on Ford Mountain was a generous gift to weary souls.
However, Ed's true passion and calling in life was serving the Lord Jesus Christ in countless ways. He was a Bible scholar, mentor, teacher, lay minister, church warden, and Cursillo leader. Ed taught and counseled in Episcopal, Charismatic Episcopal, and Anglican parishes in Dade, Broward, and Martin Counties. He utilized his talents in North Carolina and Georgia. In 2005 Ed was ordained a deacon in the Diocese of the Holy Spirit Episcopal Anglican Church of Georgia. He excelled at developing programs to train leaders for Home Church groups. Following Marion's death in 2011, Ed and Lee divided their time between Ford Mountain and Martin County, Florida. Ed "downsized" in May 2016, purchasing a newly- constructed home in Stuart.

Surviving family members include his devoted son, Leland James Quest, of Stuart, Florida; beloved daughter, Georgiana Hope Quest Glasow, and her husband Daniel Robert Glasow of Oxford, CT; cherished grandchildren Collin Quest Glasow and Camille Hope Glasow of Connecticut, two nieces Rylee Woodall and Sherri Quest of Florida and their families, and cousins in Miami, North Carolina, and Sweden.