Longtime Guadalajara resident Edward (Ed) Eldon Fesler died March 27 at the age of 86.
Born June 26, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, Fesler served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After being wounded in the Italian campaign, he returned home and attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he graduated with a degree in English.
Fesler wed Ann Elizabeth Kunker in 1948 and the couple had two children. She preceded him in death in 1996.
Fesler worked as an industrial sales representative in St. Louis and Minneapolis, Minnesota. He later opened a piano retailing and overhaul business in Minneapolis and became an expert piano tuner.
Fesler and his wife first came to Mexico in 1987 and lived for a short time in Puerto Vallarta before settling permanently in Guadalajara two years later.
Fesler soon became active in many organizations, including Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), serving as president and publishing a monthly newsletter. For several years he helped organize the weekly meetings of the Unitarians. He was also a solid supporter of the American Society (Amsoc), American Legion Post Three, the Computer Club, Grupo Amigos and Guadalajara Masonic Lodge 5. He was a mason for more than 50 years.
Fesler penned occasional articles for the Guadalajara Reporter during his time in the city. Among his many interests were the history, geography and buildings of Guadalajara, especially its plethora of fine churches. An outgoing personality with a wry wit, Fesler also enjoyed photography and was a keen student of Mexican politics. He took the time and trouble to learn Spanish and was truly fascinated by this country.
In 1999 Fesler remarried Maria Delia Gomez Avala, a retired native of Guadalajara.
Fesler leaves his son Edward and daughter Ann, grandchildren Natalie and James, and four stepdaughters: Daniela, Flor, Aurrora and Maria.
A funeral service was held at the Templo de San Francisco de Sales church in Guadalajara’s Colonia Americana.