Early Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Edward (Big Ed) Wilson died of a blood clot caused by COVID 19. He was 66 years old. Ed was the eldest son born to Lilly & Thomas Wilson in Norfolk, VA. The family moved to Sarasota in 1968 where 10 years later Tom would open his own auto repair shop which is still operated today by his children and grandchildren. Ed worked alongside his mom and dad, his brothers, Tom Jr and Tim, and his sister, Terri for many years before leaving the shop to open and maintain his own businesses. In 1978 he married his wife Cathy and together they raised 4 children. His sons, Thomas and Eddie, both worked with him through the years. Thomas currently owns the business that grew from one his father started – Shearwater Pools. Eddie works at the family shop started by his grandfather, Tom Wilson Auto Repair. Big Ed’s work ethic and his legacy of working with and supporting family is lived out by his sons. Ed’s daughters, Brooke and Callie, were known to him simply as Sweetie Pie & Sweetie. His love for them knew no bounds. He took joy in all his children and taught them to value family and always stick together. Big Ed was a proud grandpa to 7 grandchildren (Blake, Zoe, Reese, Jacob, Kinley, Carson, and Ivy Lou). He loved to be with his family and was prone to bragging about his grandkids’ many accomplishments. He also passed his love of racing down to his children and his grandchildren who are still racing with FTR. There was nothing he would not have done for his family and his fierce love has been deeply ingrained in his children and grandchildren. His lessons of humor, live-and-let-live, and always-stick-together-love will be with his family forever. Big Ed was an excellent brother, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He will leave an unfillable hole in the Wilson family.
A service will be held at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home 170 Honore Ave., on May 22nd from 2pm to 4pm. A barbeque will be held at the Florida Farm Bureau property on Palmer Blvd at 5pm.
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