Edgar Gordon Drew

Early on the afternoon of October 26, 2025, Edgar Gordon Drew peacefully died. He had wanted to die at home and Madeleine, his wife of 51 years, made every effort to make that happen. Ed, who had turned 92 just a month prior, got his name from his grandfather, his musical talent from his father Wesley D. Drew, his mechanical skills from his second dad George W. Ross, and his mellow personality from his mother Mary A. Ross. Who knew he’d become a local legend?

Ed began life in Portland. As the US entered WWII, his mom relocated the family to Long Island where she’d gotten a job. Ed attended Long Island School and graduated from PHS, Class of 52. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, then later the Coast Guard. When stationed in Sou’west Harbor, he was in a car accident which earned him serious injuries, a long hospital stay, and an even longer rehab on the island. During this time he built his first boat – all while he was on crutches. When he returned to active duty, the military assigned him to a desk because of a permanent leg injury. Desk duty was not for him on any level. He’d planned for a life at sea, so he left military life.

Returning to Maine, with his first wife and toddler daughter, he soon took a job with the US Postal Service, ensuring a steady paycheck and benefits for his young family. As a side gig, he began doing boat repairs in the evenings. Ah, at last he’d found his passion. It didn’t take long for this to evolve to an apprenticeship with Carroll Lowell at a former Casco Bank building in what is now DiMillo’s parking lot, later relocating to Even Keel Marina in Yarmouth. As his talent, reputation, and confidence grew, he knew he had to start his own business. It’s my personal opinion that his own boat, the Madeleine Elizabeth, was his finest work. Not that any other boat he touched wasn’t of equal workmanship, but the love he put into his own boat radiated from every angle.

Stand clear when he’d be getting her ready for the lobster boat races. He prepared – and had a case of trophies to show for his efforts. We pulled up to the float in Potts Harbor to register, and I heard coming from another boat, “Shucks, we’d hoped you weren’t coming this year.”

When he wasn’t lobstering, or racing, or working on someone else’s boat, he’d outfit the boat for camping so he and Madeleine could take their vacation exploring the coast. If they wanted to explore inland, he’d convert the workshop he’d built on the back of his pick-up to a camper and off they’d go. His creativity and eye for detail made it just as comfortable as the boat even if it didn’t look anywhere near as elegant.

You didn’t have to look too close to see his soft spot for family, kids, or his cats - although he made every attempt to hide it. One youngster verbalizing Grampy for the first time actually said Grumpy (later shortened to Grump), and that stuck. You might get the ‘Grump’ look and voice, but you’d also get a wink, a pat on the back, or your hair ruffled. And always a helping hand.

Ed was predeceased by all his parents (he was 92 after all), two brothers David and Wesley “Skipper” Drew, and his grandson Nicholas Taylor. He is survived by his wife, Madeleine (Caplette), daughter Elizabeth Lockhart (Don), granddaughter Miranda Taylor (Scott Driver) and great granddaughter Hailey; siblings Raymond Jordan, Marianne Kane (Tommy), Patti Brown (Donnie), Cindy Batchelder; and three generations of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW Hall on Long Island on May 24, 2026. Details to follow in the spring.

If you care to make a donation in his honor, his favorites were St Jude’s Hospital for Children, Shriners’ Hospital for Children, and The Animal Refuge League.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to leave condolences for the Drew family and share a memory of Ed.