Edward Merle Wrzesinski was born on October 27, 1945 at his grandmothers' home in Roundup, Montana to Casimer and Blanche (Spearin) Wrzesinski, the sixth of their seven children. He passed on to the next great adventure on May 4, 2023.

Ed was raised on the Wrzesinski family homestead in the Snowy Mountains of Montana. When he wasn't breaking horses, he could be found in a quiet spot doodling or reading a book. He later moved to Ryegate, then Brockton, and ultimately graduated from Cut Bank High School. After high school, he joined the United States Navy in the early days of the Vietnam War.

During his two tours on the U.S.S. Ranger aircraft carrier (1963-1966), Ed worked in the print shop. On the Ranger, he met Bill Herron who became his lifelong friend. After his discharge from the Navy, Ed managed the printing operations for Farmers Insurance in Seattle, where Bill lived with his wife Sheri. Ed still pursued his artistic passions on the weekends, designing and painting decorative graphics and advertisements on boats, racecars, and motorcycles.

In the mid-1970s, Ed took his printing career to San Francisco and eventually opened his own printing company, Barbary Coast Press. Not only was he excited to finally run his own company, he was thrilled to work with Norwegian Cruise Lines, rock concert promoters like Bill Graham Presents, and other major Bay Area enterprises.

In 1986, Ed met Debra McNeill and they married in San Francisco in May, 1990. Shortly after their wedding, the couple moved to Honolulu for Debra’s work and immersed themselves in Hawaiian culture and activities. They loved sailing, snorkeling, and Hawaiian food with their new friends. In 1992, they moved to Twin Bridges, Montana to start a family and welcomed their first child, Tess, in 1994. In 1997, they returned to the San Francisco Bay Area and in 2002 they were blessed with the adoption of their second daughter, Beth.

Although life in California was going well, Ed and Debra always hoped to return to Twin Bridges to raise Tess and Beth in a small-town community. That opportunity presented itself in 2004 and the family moved back into the historic home they had purchased in 1993. In 2005, Ed and Debra started Tobacco Root Graffics. Ed designed an iconic line of western watercolor greeting cards and Debra created websites and advertising graphics for local businesses. During this period, Ed was also inspired to return to his passion for oil painting, creating a large portfolio of landscapes and still lifes. Despite the greeting cards being well received, Ed eventually decided to close that side of the business. He changed course to one of his other passions -- driving. He drove bus for the Twin Bridges school district and was hugely popular with the kids on the long routes through the Ruby Valley and on frequent sporting and field trips.

A few years after Tess graduated from Twin Bridges High School, Ed and Debra decided to move the family to Bozeman so Beth could attend a larger high school. Not long after the move, Ed took a job driving for Karst Stage, Bozeman's Streamline city bus services. He finally fully retired in 2021.

Ed's favorite pastimes were good books, especially historical novels, listening to great songwriters, and art. He never turned down an opportunity to visit an art gallery or museum. He also loved golfing and trout fishing. On summer evenings, he could often be found heading out to a nearby river with his fishing pole, a box of fried chicken, and a container of worms.

Above all, Ed was a very loving father to Tess and Beth, taking immense pride in their accomplishments, community service, and creativity. He loved spending time working with them on their art projects, taking road trips, attending nearly every school or sports event, and watching movies together.

Ed is survived by his wife, Debra McNeill, daughters Tess (Mario) and Beth, sisters, Cora Novich and Donna Harris, sister-in-law Judy Wrzesinski, nieces and nephews Ellen (Denny) Nelson, Karen Hill, Larry (Cherri) Berg, John Lunda, David Lunda, Joy (Dennis) Day, Pete (Becky) Novich, Hayes (Carrie) Novich, Lexi (Taylor) Peterson, Fawn Harris, Joe Harris, Jenny Hug, Jamie (Shana) Wrzesinski, Jeff Wrzesinski, Davin Wrzesinski, and many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews.

Ed was predeceased by his parents, Casimer and Blanche Wrzesinski, his sister, Joyce Lunda, and his brothers Joe, Don and Dave.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 17th from 1-4pm at the Blue Anchor Café in Twin Bridges. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Twin Bridges Historical Association (P.O. Box 227 Twin Bridges, MT 59754) or CASA of Gallatin County (gallatincountycasagal.org)

Please visit https://youtu.be/Ekrh5V3f9PM to see a video celebration of Ed's life. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/edward-wrzesinski/obituary/

Copy