Edgar Joseph Thibodeau

Edgar Joseph Thibodeau, "Ed," 86, died June 15th, 2017 at his winter home in Naples, FL. He was born in Berlin, NH, son of Dr. Edgar J. and Olive H. Thibodeau.

His origins were deeply French, with maternal Saint Laurent family originating in the Burgundy region, and paternal Thibodeau family originating in the Normandy region, before they immigrated to the United States and Canada. His father was the physician and surgeon in Berlin for seventeen years. Ed attended Guardian Angel Elementary School and Notre Dame High School of his native Berlin, NH, where he was valedictorian of his class, before proceeding to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, in 1953. One fateful day at Fordham, Eds roommate fell ill and needed Ed to take his place that evening on a blind date with a young woman from the neighboring College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, NY. At first sight, Mary Lou stole Eds heart, and so the story began.

After graduation from Fordham University, he began medical school at the University of Ottawa, Canada, where he attended for one year before he was enlisted in the U.S. Army and moved to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington D.C. where he conducted medical research for two years. He then began his lifelong career in the pharmaceutical industry at Parke-Davis. This evolved into the field of clinical research for new drug studies with private physicians and hospitals in the New York Metropolitan region. His areas of concentration included Herpes Simplex Virus and critical advancements in burn treatments, as well as many other leading medical developments. His career continued along the trajectory of an industry frontrunner at Warner-Lambert, eventually Pfizer.

He and Mary Lou first settled in Woodbridge, NJ and then Morganville, NJ to raise their children. From Morganville, they moved to Long Branch, NJ. After his 40 year career, they retired in Northville, Michigan before establishing their final residence in Hopkinton, NH for the last 20 years with their winter home in Naples, Florida and family cabin on Lake Umbagog, Maine.

In addition to his loving family, he thoroughly enjoyed fine food and wine, and most especially boating, fishing, hunting, and keeping up his camp on serene Lake Umbagog. He and Mary Lou found great pleasure in watching the prolific local wildlife such as moose, bald eagles, and loons in the cove. Throughout their lives, they had been generous donors to childrens charitable foundations.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Mary Louise Thibodeau, "Mary Lou," in late spring of 2015. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather "Poppy", and lifelong friend. He is survived by four children and eight grandchildren including his oldest son Edgar "Jay" Thibodeau with his daughter Christel Thibodeau-Barr and son-in-law Brian Barr of Fair Haven, NJ and son Brett Thibodeau of Belmar, NJ; daughter Louise A. Salatino, her husband Mike Salatino, and children Katie, Cristina, and Matthew Salatino of Wilton, CT; son Michael G. Thibodeau, his wife Barbara Thibodeau, and children Amy Thibodeau of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Henry Thibodeau of Pittsgrove, NJ, and Eds adored grandson, Michael Thibodeau Jr. who has recently predeceased him in February of 2017 and is dearly missed; and Paul F. Thibodeau and his wife Ellen Thibodeau of Charlton, MA.

Friends and Relativities may call on the family prior to the service on Friday, June 23rd at Fleury-Patry Funeral Home, 72 High Street, Berlin from 11:45am to 12:45pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, June 23rd at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish, Berlin, NH. Interment will follow at St. Anne Cemetery, Berlin.

Family and friends are invited to a luncheon following the cemetery burial served at Town & Country Inn, 20 Route 2, Shelburne (Gorham), NH.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Berlin, NH or to honor his grandson by donating to the Michael G. Thibodeau Jr. Memorial Scholarship at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) at www.tomikefrom.us.

Visit our online guestbook: www.fleury-patry.com