NAPLES, FLA. — Edward N. Weissman, 85, of Manchester and Portsmouth, N.H., died peacefully surrounded by his family in Naples, Fla., on June 22.

He graduated from Tilton School in Tilton, N.H., where he developed a liking for progressive jazz and trips to New York City.

The next chapter in Ed’s life unlocked his passion for antiques and fine art which would become his legacy and to which he devoted over 60 years.

He crisscrossed the country ferreting out early American furniture and decorative arts. Then, with Margaret, his wife of 43 years, they continued their search internationally, up the Amazon, down the Nile, along the Thames, the Rhine, the Yangtze and the Parana River in Argentina. Eddie loved Portugal and his Portuguese irmão, “Chico” Botelho, his wife Ana and their sons. The Botelhos and Mineiro’s, João, Manela, and their children always greeted him as family every time he traveled across the Atlantic. In fact, he developed an extended family almost everywhere he went.

He enjoyed the friendships he made in the New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association, along with the antiques newspapers Maine Antique Digest, Antiques and The Arts Weekly and magazines who highlighted every event to promote the business. Most of his closest friends were dealers.

Ed was known for having a great eye and relished discovering treasure. He was mentored by some of the best like Albert Sack of New York City and generously passed this knowledge to other dealers and scholars; to those who were curious and those who were new to the business.

He welcomed all into his shop and show booths. He was The Source.

Submitted by his family, Margaret Weissman, Robin Heard, Jill Bellio and Laura Calhoun.