Edward "Ed" Francis Robichaud

Ed was born on February 23, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Pascal and Olga (Hoglund) Robichaud. He grew up on Nicollet Island, located in the Mississippi River just north of Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis. The youngest of four children, he spent his childhood exploring the island and its shoreline, and swimming in the river with his fellow "river rats" island friends and his brother Bernard. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Notre Dame Elementary School. After his father passed away at a young age, Ed took over the maintenance of the family home, which included an upstairs boarding house and communal dining area. These early responsibilities helped shape the strong work ethic and sense of responsibility that would characterize his life.  He graduated from Marshall High School with the Class of 1952 and was the lead character in the spring play his senior year. During this time, he was also a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, traveling to several countries in Europe and to Washington, DC. On that trip, he climbed both the Eiffel Tower and the Washington Monument, and the group had the memorable experience of meeting President Eisenhower. Ed enjoyed the outdoors, often fishing and hunting with his brother-in-law Melvin and fishing in Canada with Bernard.

On August 9, 1957, Ed was united in marriage with Marcella Modeen. It was a loving marriage which lasted nearly 70 years! They shared a deep love of life, and together, raised four children. They lived in several locations, including Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, during Ed's two years of drafted military service with the U.S. Army; and in Decatur, Illinois, and Duluth, Minnesota, while Ed worked on long-term projects as a tile setter. They also resided in North Minneapolis for a time, in what everyone called "The Pink House," before settling in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in 1964. After their children were adults, they left the now-busy intersection of their White Bear Lake home and moved to Vadnais Heights in 1988.

Ed and Marcie were a social couple who enjoyed the company of many friends and family. Watching them on the dance floor was truly a sight to behold. They always encouraged their family to embrace the outdoors in every season, whether cross-country skiing, hiking, or picnicking - along the North Shore of Lake Superior or in various State parks, particularly enjoying countless outings to William O'Brien State Park.

Ed and Marcie were also strong advocates for faith and education. They supported St. Mary of the Lake Church and its parish school, with Ed serving as President of the Home and School Association and as a member of the board of education for the parish. Together, they were active parishioners who volunteered for many functions and activities at the Church.

In addition, Ed was strongly committed to community service. He was a longtime member of the Minneapolis Optimist Club, serving for two years as Secretary-Treasurer and later, as President. Through the Club, he and Marcie generously participated in many youth outreach programs and community activities.

Ed was the rare individual who spent his entire career with the same company - 64 years! excluding his two years of military service - at Twin City Tile and Marble Company, located on Nicollet Island where he grew up. He worked his way up from tile helper to vice president of TCTM, taking on leadership roles in many significant projects throughout his career. Ed brought an architectural and artistic eye to his work in stone, tile, terrazzo, and seamless flooring. As an important member of the TCTM team, he was known for incorporating creative design ideas and operational innovations into projects. His craftsmanship and expertise contributed to many iconic local landmarks, including the Milwaukee Road Depot, the IDS Tower, the MSP Airport terminal, the Ordway Theater, the St. Paul Union Depot, and numerous others. One of Ed and Marcie's favorite memories was attending the contractor opening of the Ordway Theater. They often reminisced about being invited to sit in the theater and sing as its acoustics were being tested and "tuned" before opening to the public.

His work provided opportunities to travel for meetings and industry gatherings with business associates, often with Marcie by his side. Together, they visited Long Beach, New Orleans, Anchorage, Vancouver BC, and they cruised the Caribbean, among many other memorable trips.

Ed applied his carpentry, masonry, and building skills with family and friends throughout his life. Among his many projects, he completed the unfinished second story of the family's White Bear Lake home into four bedrooms, a bathroom, and a cedar closet. He later remodeled the main level and added a family room, featuring an impressive stone fireplace, as well as a garage. In their Vadnais Heights home, he finished the entire lower walk-out level and remodeled the kitchen. He also remodeled his son Mike's kitchen and was always willing to lend his expertise, craftsmanship, and sound advice to countless other family projects.

Ed was an extraordinarily hardworking man who devoted himself to providing for his family. Beginning shortly after his father's death, he worked continuously from the age of 13 until he welcomed his final retirement at age 82 - a remarkable span of 69 years! As a retirement gift from TCTM, Ed and Marcie took a final trip to Alaska, where he fished in the Alaska Range with his daughter Debbie's family, fulfilling one of his longtime dreams.

Ed was always grateful for God's many blessings in his life. Family was at the center of his life and his greatest joy. A loving and devoted husband, dedicated father, and proud grandfather of nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, he cherished spending time with all of them. He delighted in good-natured teasing and joking with his grandkids, nephews, and nieces, often entertaining them by singing his unique rendition of "John Jacob Jinglheimer Schmidt." His unwavering love, legacy of faith, and commitment to family shaped their lives and created countless treasured memories. Ed's generous spirit and intrinsic kindness touched many beyond his immediate family. His love, his qualities, and his values live on through his children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends.

Ed is survived by:

His children, Debbie (Dan) Brady of Alaska, Steve (Sara) Robichaud of Arizona, Mike (Patty) Robichaud of Minnesota, and Therese (Mike) Gadbois of Minnesota; His grandchildren, John (Savanna) Brady, Joe (Teresa) Brady, Paul Robichaud, Alison (Andrew) Robichaud-Medina, Luc Robichaud, Emily Robichaud, Natalie (Ryan) Gadbois-Mincks, Travis Gadbois, Erik Gadbois; His great-grandchildren, Jordan, Eliana, and Eleanor Brady; Paxson and Parker Persinger, Brielle Brady, and a ninth great-grandchild on the way; Madilyn and Colton Mincks; and many extended family members.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marcie; and his siblings, Margaret (Robichaud) Eisenschenk, Bernard Robichaud, and Mary Ann Robichaud.

Ed's family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Harbor Crossing, St. Therese of Oxbow Lake, and Grace Hospice for their loving care of Ed and Marcie.

Visitation 4-7PM on Tuesday, June 30, at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake.

Visitation 10-11AM on Wednesday, July 1, at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake, before the funeral Mass.

Mass of Christian Burial 11AM on Wednesday, July 1, at St. Mary of the Lake Church.

Interment at St Mary of the Lake Cemetery after the funeral Mass.

Followed by a lunch reception in the St. Joseph's Room at the Church.

Memorials or donations are preferred to Frassati Academy (formerly St. Mary of the Lake Parish School).

Ed lived by, "As disciples of Jesus, we are called to give back in thanksgiving for God's gifts to us."