CAPE ELIZABETH – Sitrep: Edward Vincent Drinan Jr., 77, was born March 15, 1944 in Weymouth, Mass. and died on Jan. 16, 2022 at Gosnell Hospice in Scarborough.

In recent years, Ed faced several health crises followed by unexpected, miraculous recoveries. After being wheelchair-bound with “never a chance of walking again,” Ed defied the odds to stroll the streets of Prouts Neck, where he spent his last winter. Alas, as Kurt Vonnegut says in Slaughterhouse-Five, “So it goes.”

The oldest of eight siblings, Ed spent most of his youth in Braintree, Mass. and graduated from South Weymouth High School, where he played varsity football, basketball, ran track and met his former wife and current friend, Janice.

According to Ed, he chose to attend the College of the Holy Cross after the family priest suggested he go there and “made a phone call.” While Ed was a person who believed the truth is only made better with a little embellishment, his hijinks at Holy Cross have become legend and need no exaggeration.

After graduation, Ed joined the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam from June 1967 to July 1968. He was a combat platoon commander and awarded many commendations, including the Navy Commendation Medal. Ed was honorably discharged after achieving the rank of captain. After leaving the Marine Corps, Ed joined the Drug Enforcement Administration, and his family relocated to Karachi, Pakistan. During his career, Ed saw service in Afghanistan, India and Lebanon before becoming the Resident Agent in Charge of the DEA office in Portland where he worked until his retirement in 1981.

Following his retirement from government service, Ed excelled at real estate development and enjoyed designing, building and renovating homes. For many years, Ed lived at Diamond Cove on Great Diamond Island where he developed two unique homes. Ed was intricately involved with Diamond’s Edge Restaurant and Marina where he enjoyed treating family and friends to many fine meals.

Ed was exceptionally generous and had a passion for the ocean, nature, animals and spending time with family. He loved to combine those interests by exploring the islands of Casco Bay with his children, grandchildren and friends aboard his boat, aptly named the “Diamond Cutter.”

Ed was a rare and unconventional person. He was known for cooking an eight-course, New Year’s Eve dinner and serving it to extended family in a tuxedo. He was equally at home preparing a traditional lobster bake on the rocky shore by his house.

Ed had a sharp wit and loved to cause trouble, which made him a remarkably fun brother, father, grandfather and friend. This included bringing home unexpected pets, inventing new watersports, creating sledding obstacle courses, and performing elaborate skits and practical jokes. He was also a great lover of dogs and would say that “all dogs are good dogs.” Special favorites were Truman and Kip.

Ed is survived by his daughters Heather Drinan of Etna, N.H. and Melissa Drinan of Cape Elizabeth; grandchildren Jessica Rosien and Aidan Connelly; son-in-law Marc Hoffman; special family friends Janice Drinan and Brian Connelly; and siblings Carole Whelan, David Drinan, Michael Drinan, Elaine Murphy and Paul Drinan; many nieces and nephews, and a few true and very dear friends.

Ed was predeceased by his parents Edward and Barbara Drinan; and sisters Marilyn Parsons and Cathleen Drinan.

Knowing his time was short, Ed hosted a “living funeral” on Nov. 6, 2021. Friends and family gathered to reminisce and celebrate his life. Ed spoke at his “Death Party,” as he called it, concluding with, “I have lived a long life and a good life, a great amount of the long and the good is your presence in my life.”

The family thanks Northern Light Home Care and Hospice and Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for all their caring support.

As Ed would often say, “There it is. Goodbye for now.”

Semper fi.

In lieu of flowers, please “take a day off.”

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