Edwin Tussey

Oct 14, 1959 -

Feb 12, 2024

Longtime Alaskan artist Edwin M. Tussey passed away peacefully on Feb. 12, 2024, at the age of 64, in Homer, Alaska, after a short battle with late-stage prostate cancer and esophageal cancer. He sailed into the night on his last voyage, his beloved wife and two daughters by his side to see him off.

Born in Ketchikan, Alaska, on Oct. 14, 1959, he spent a part of his childhood in Northern California until he was moved to Kodiak, Alaska, by his late father and plopped onto a commercial fishing boat at the age of 10. He would explain endearingly how it was the love of his life, his rock, Jacquelyn Tussey, who saved him from an unknown future.

Ed and Jacki became high school sweethearts in 1978 and tied the knot on Jan. 16, 1982. Ed quit 20 years of commercial fishing to pursue his dream of being an artist, and the two started their art publishing business Tussey's Fine Arts in 1985. That kicked off Ed's most formidable years of his career. He became established as a well-known artist in many households through his limited-edition prints and art shows, and has been awarded recognition on state and national levels.

Throughout these years and their many adventures before settling in Homer, Alaska in 1997, Ed and Jacki brought two amazing daughters into the world: Rachel in 1987 while living in Kodiak, and Rheanna in 1993 while living in Soldotna. Ed was a Renaissance man, jack-of-all-trades and outdoorsman. He was adamant to instill everything he knew into his girls who grew up learning how to subsistence fish, construct houses, rebuild cars, MacGyver-fix anything, work hard and play even harder.

Ed carried such a powerful presence, leaving memorable impressions upon everyone he met. You couldn't help but gravitate towards him and we always joked you either loved him or hated him, but you never forgot him. He lived a colorful life, always to the beat of his own drum, and it was remarkable how passionately he lived and unyielding his work ethic was. He leaves behind a legacy in his art and through the many lives he's touched who will continue to honor him by living their lives to the fullest.

Ed is preceded in death by his mother, brother and father. He is survived by his wife, Jacquelyn Tussey; daughters, Rachel Tussey and husband Gavin Spudwills, and Rheanna Tussey and partner Rocky Berg; brothers/sisters-in-law, Joe and Rhoda O'Donnoghue, and Shawn and Renee O'Donnoghue; sisters, Sandra Tussey and Laurie Meynig; nieces and nephews, Kayla, Kelton, Justin, Jennifer, Douglas, Ben and Daniel; and parents-in-law, Joseph and Judy O'Donnoghue.

A Celebration of Life and any acceptance of donations will be held later in 2024 at a time/location to be determined, at which time we'll share our fond memories, photos and toast to his honor. For now, we ask that you hug your loved ones, plan that trip to Hawaii that you've been putting off, go fishing, drink a cold one, take that swim in a river, go for a snowmachine ride … whatever you choose, do it with intention and with Ed in your heart.