Edward was born November 18, 1936, to Arnold and Caroline Rettig in Yonkers, New York and spent most of his first 60 years on Berkshire Road in Homefield. His favorite childhood memories included time spent at his grandmother’s “farm” in Germantown, NY on the Hudson River playing baseball and helping his grandmother in the garden.
After high school Edward enlisted and was honored to serve in the US Army as a Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, DC.
Following his military service Edward returned home to Yonkers where he married Barbara Ann Nauman also of Homefield. The story goes that Barbara’s mother called Ed’s mother and said “Your son is outside throwing rocks at my daughters window.”
Ed started his career following in the footsteps of his father and older brother in the printing industry at Conde Nast magazine in Connecticut. Ed soon saw the future in the communications industry and took a job troubleshooting in the switch room at New York Telephone. His hard work, intellect and dedication found him promoted into Management and Engineering. Ed managed the design and installation of fiber optic cable throughout the Hudson Valley area.
Ed and Barbara raised 3 daughters, Heidi (Kevin) Maguire, Cynthia (Rick) Ciordia and Christy (Michael) Meekins. Ed and Barbara sang in the church choir and Ed served as a Deacon at North Yonkers Community Church in Hastings, NY.
In 1996, Ed and Barbara retired and moved to Merritt Island, Florida. Ed was active in the Waterway Manor homeowners’ association and the “Senior Old Farts Tennis” group playing tennis and making friends including an occasional impromptu sing along at breakfast after tennis. Ed always put family first and kept the family traditions going with beach and ski vacations, cruises and dinners together.
Ed (aka Pop-Pop) took great pride in his grandchildren Alexander, Shane, Jackson, Asher and Shelby. He shared with them his love of music, tennis, travel, and donuts on the beach. A sleepover at Pop-pops often involved pancakes in the morning, bike rides, boat rides and chopping down sticks to build a fire in the woods with M&M’s! He was always there for soccer games, school events and even baked the homemade birthday cakes.
After Barbara’s passing in 2005, Ed found love and companionship again with Valerie Kelley. They enjoyed many years sharing their lives and adventures together.
Ed was our rock. He was always there, always kind and loving. Ed taught us to enjoy the good times and create memories. “They can’t take it away from you” he would say about his travels.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday June 29, 2024 at 11am at Grace United Methodist Church, 65 Needle Blvd Merritt Island, FL 32953.
Donations in Ed's memory can be made to St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care Hospice of Brevard County, FL or Grace United Methodist Church, Merritt Island, FL
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