Published: Thursday, April 29, 2004 at:12:18 PM




Mary Jo’s
Most Romantic Couple


Marilyn and Ed

Have you noticed that couples come in all shapes, sizes and ages? Have you also noticed that certain couples also have a little something extra going for them, “a glow about them,” “a non-verbal connection,” “a look in their eyes?” Whatever it may be, you know it when you see it.

Every family should be so lucky to have such role models for romance, and a great example of this is Marilyn and Ed Thompson of Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Ed and Marilyn have known each other since they were toddlers. They played together as children, went to the same schools and dated in high school. They got married in 1968 and have two sons and a daughter. Ed went into the family business of manufacturing garage doors for The Thompson Overhead Door Company, while Marilyn has worked as an Administrative Assistant for a real estate office.

The Thompsons first came to Bitter End in 1993, to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They came to learn more about sailing and ended up taking the Learn to Sail courses through The Bitter End Sailing School. Tony Edwards was their instructor at that time and showed them the ropes. They had so much fun with all the toys that they ended up buying a few boats of their own to sail at home during east coast summers. They now own a Hobie Wave and a kayak. But they did not stop there: Ed has gotten into ice boating so that he can be on a boat whether it’s on water or ice. That’s a dedicated sailor!

The children have followed their parents’ lead in the romance department. Their son Gary spent his honeymoon at Bitter End and their daughter Lynn has just announced her engagement. Yes, they shall be honeymooning at Bitter End too! That leaves son John to continue the family tradition when it’s his turn to get married.

This November will be the Thompson’s 35th wedding anniversary. There’s been talk of another family trip to the islands. What better way to celebrate their love for each other and of sailing than with the most obvious examples of that love, their children?