Edward "Ed" Jerome Gillikin Sr.

Edward Jerome "Ed" Gillikin, Sr. May 21, 1943 – October 13, 2023 Ed Gillikin, a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, passed away at the age of 80 on Friday, October 13, 2023, from cardiac arrest while doing what he loved, serving the community through volunteerism. Ed was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on May 21, 1943, to the late John Gay Gillikin, Sr. and Gloria DeSalvo Gillikin. He attended 12-years of Catholic School, graduating from St. Paul’s High School in 1961, and served his country in the Virginia Army National Guard for eight years. He graduated from Norfolk State University with a degree in engineering and led a successful career working for the Commonwealth of Virginia; first for the Virginia Department of Transportation as a Bridge Inspector and Specifications Engineer, then for the Department of General Services in the Division of Purchasing and Supply, retiring in 1997. He taught many procurement courses for state employees and was a key thought leader in creating the Virginia Contracting Officer certification credential, still in use today. Ed loved to catch fish, eat steamed crabs, and cheer-on his much-loved granddaughter during her games. He could fix or build almost anything, and often helped his children, friends and neighbors with major car repairs or home alterations. Through his many years of volunteer efforts, Ed constructed countless handicap accessibility ramps for those in need, delivered Meals on Wheels, and prepared Christmas Eve Dinner at the McGuire Veterans Administration Hospital for 27 years running. He was a proud Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Mechanicsville Giuseppe Verdi Lodge. Ed was active in recruiting and forming multiple Knights of Columbus Councils, including 2 regional Fourth Degree Assemblies. He was awarded Virginia State Council Knight of the Year, an unprecedented two times. In his 46 years as a Knight, Ed held many leadership and committee chair positions, most notably: District Deputy for the Virginia State Council for 5 terms; Council Grand Knight for 8 terms, including being the current Grand Knight for the Spanish Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia Council; and Fourth Degree Assembly Faithful Navigator for 2 terms, including being the current Fourth Degree District Warden. Over the years, Ed was a member of St. Paul’s, St. Therese and The Church of the Resurrection Catholic Churches in Portsmouth, and St. John’s Catholic Church in Highland Springs. Among many Parish church and school roles and responsibilities held, he served as a Lector for 64 years, RCIA and Adult Ed. Instructor, and Chairman of the School Board for St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Richmond. Ed is predeceased by his brother Robert and his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Ann Blasio Gillikin; two children: Edward Jerome Gillikin, Jr. (Kathy Davis Gillikin) and Ann Marie Gillikin; one granddaughter: Alexa Marie Davis Gillikin; three brothers: John (Joanne); Joseph; James (Shawn); sister-in-law (Eileen); a host of nieces and nephews; one dog (Catalena) and two grand-dogs (Beli and Winnie). Ed will be deeply missed by his family, and by those he mentored and inspired to become a servant leader. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 19, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 813 W. Nine Mile Road, Highland Springs. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated immediately after the Visitation at 1:00 p.m. A reception in the Fr. Guttendorf Parish Hall will follow mass. Interment will take place Friday, October 20, 1:00 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, 2701 Elm Avenue, Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knights of Columbus KOVAR charity (https://kovarva.org/donations.html) or the VCU Massey Cancer Center (https://www.support.vcu.edu/give/MCVF). Condolences may be registered at: https://www.nelsenrichmond.com.