Edward J. Deely age 89 entered the gates of heaven Saturday, August 7, 2021.

He was born October 28, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Thomas J. and Mary L. Deely. Brothers Tom Jr., (Anne) and John (Lois) predeceased him.

He grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from North Catholic High School in 1949.
In 1952 he met a beautiful blonde with big blue eyes, Barbara Mae Cole, age 17, and she stole his heart. After serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1952 to 1954, he returned to Philadelphia and married Barbara. They moved to South Florida in 1959. Over the course of their marriage, they raised 5 loving children- Theresa, Edward Jr., Vincent, Jennifer and Patricia.

Ed was a career employee at ATT, working at Bell of PA, then transitioning to Bell South after moving to Florida. Over his career, he worked as a Cable Splicer, Foreman and District Construction Supervisor. He also took the occasional odd job to support his growing family, including parking cars on Miami Beach with good friend Don Moore.

He retired from Bell South in 1983 at age 52 and began a life of adventure and travel with his wife Barbara, whom he affectionately called “Barbie-girl.”

From their home in South Florida, they explored the U.S. in their camper van and via cross-country train trips, and enjoyed luxury-ocean cruising to Alaska and Europe.

Ed and Barb moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida in 1993. Ed loved riding his bike around Fernandina Beach, acting in the Fernandina Little Theatre and volunteering with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and delivering Meals on Wheels. He was known for always having a good word to share with friends and strangers alike…when you knew Ed, you had a friend for life.

Ed and was an active member of St. Michael Church in Fernandina Beach, and was a proud member of the ROMEO’s – “Retired Old Men Eating Out.”

Ed leaves behind his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara C. Deely, and their children: Theresa Soller of Grand Junction, CO (husband Derf and sons Danny and Kevin); Edward J. Deely Jr. of Houston TX (wife Johanne, deceased and children Sarah Biernbaum (husband LJ, children Julia and Logan), Matthew Deely (wife Dororthy, son Mason) and Rebecca Deely); Vincent and Susan Deely of Loveland, CO; Jennifer Medema of Belding, MI (husband Douglas and daughters Allison and August); and Patricia Marchand of Ontario, Canada (husband Mark).

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Fernandina Beach, FL . Following Mass, the family will receive friends at a reception in the Parish Hall. The Funeral Mass will also be available for viewing online. Edward will be laid to rest in the Bosque Bello Cemetery in a private ceremony.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations can be made in his name to St. Michael Catholic Church, 201 North 4th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
www.stmichaelscatholic.com