At the age of thirteen, Edward Francis contracted polio, a tragedy which severely limited his physical activities. Rather than admit defeat, this forced Edward to develop his intellectual abilities. After finishing high school, college, and law school, he established and ran a highly successful agricultural supply firm. Since Edward became the CEO of the firm as it grew, business was of necessity his vocation.His avocation, however, was painting, particularly portraiture, a talent he had discovered and developed in college. His wife died and he was diagnosed with cancer on the very day he sold his firm, a few weeks short of their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Grief-stricken, he vowed to complete a portrait of her before he died which would reflect not only the love she had shown to him, but as well one which also would reveal to each viewer the love which dwells in all such women. The painting held a surprise for all who saw it.
