Edward Michael McElroy

Eddie was born on April 22,1959, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Edward Thomas and Catherine Jane (Caniff) McElroy. He attended high school at La Salle Academy in Providence, graduating in 1977. He received his bachelor's degree in International Studies from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, in 1981 and received his Law degree (JD) from the Southern Methodist School of Law (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, in 1985. He married Yonghong Ying, the love of his life, in 2004 in Madison, Wisconsin. They began their family together living in Western Springs, Illinois then moved to San Diego, California in 2006, where they currently reside.

Eddie had a long successful career as an attorney. Early in his career he worked for Ernst & Young in Chicago, Waage Law Firm in San Diego and most recently practiced as an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Immigration Attorney at McElroy Law Group, APC since its formation in 2009.

Eddie was a devoted husband and father. If you asked him, his greatest accomplishment wasn’t his career, it was being a father. He loved his children and was a regular presence at all of their sporting events and school activities. He was passionate about the kid’s lacrosse and field hockey teams, travelling extensively to various tournaments with them across the country. He took great pride in their achievements and was dedicated to his family.

Edward is survived by his wife of 17 years, Yonghong Ying, their two children, Kathleen Rose, 15, Edward Ying, 14, and family dog Bandit; his mother Catherine Caniff McElroy of Providence, Rhode Island; sister Erin McElroy Benfante (Joseph Benfante) of West Kingston, Rhode Island; brother Robert McElroy (Laura McElroy) of Fort Worth, Texas; mother and father-in-law Shaokang Ying and Youxian Wang of San Diego, California; and sister-in-law Jun Ying (Scott Simpson) and family of San Diego. Eddie is beloved by many aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews too numerous to list, but each of whom were very special to him.

He is preceded in death by his father, Edward Thomas (2001); sister, Kathleen Mary (1986); paternal grandparents Edward P. McElroy (1961) and Madeline McElroy (1997); and maternal grandparents John Caniff (1992) and Mara Black Caniff (2003).

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021, 7pm to 9pm at Pacific Beach – La Jolla Chapel, 4710 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109. A future memorial mass will also be held in Providence, Rhode Island, details to be announced at a later date.