Edward L. Fair

WEST BOYLSTON: Edward L. Fair, 73, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in the comfort of his home.

He is survived by his two sons, Timothy M. Fair of Rumford, Maine, and Michael E. Fair of Wakefield; and by his brother, Raymond J. Fair, and his wife, Brenda, of Hopkinton.

Edward was born in Framingham, the son of the late Raymond J. Fair Jr. and Mabel (Morrissey) Fair. He was a graduate of Hopkinton High School, Class of 1972.

He had a deep love of nature. Wildlife, hunting, weather, and the great outdoors were constant threads throughout his life. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and made unforgettable trips to Montana, Maine, and Cape Cod. As an animal lover, he also cherished the many dogs he had throughout his life.

Edward worked for more than 20 years as a manager at Cumberland Farms culinary center and distribution warehouse in Westborough. In a late-career pivot, he turned his passion into a profession when he became the proud owner of B&A Bait & Tackle Shop, serving the Wachusett Reservoir fishing community and beyond for the past 14 years. He worked there seven days a week, 365 days a year—including every holiday—because he believed someone should be there, even if it was just to sell one person a container of worms and put a fishing pole in their hands. More than a shop, it became a gathering place where friends came to sit, talk, drink coffee and pass the time. Countless families have him to thank for introducing them to fishing and for the lifetime of memories they made along the way. His greatest catch wasn't the fish—it was inspiring countless people and families to discover a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Calling hours will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with a funeral service beginning at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, July 9, at Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston St., West Boylston. Burial will be held privately at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Hopkinton. Online condolences may be shared at www.faybrothers.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Edward's memory to the National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org) or Wachusett Greenways (wachusettgreenways.org).