Obituary for Edward A Ditzel
Edward Augustus Ditzel of Burlington, NJ was born in Irvington, NJ in 1937, the child of Elmer J Ditzel and Evelyn M Bodemer. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954, and proudly served as an aircraft electrician in the 1607th Field Maintenace Squadron (MATS), serving mostly in Dover, Delaware. He married Virginia A Schneider and moved to Newark, and then to Roselle Park, where they would raise their four children. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Ed worked as an auto mechanic at Jules Esso in Irvington, before becoming a partner of his father-in-law's in 1960 at Newark Safety Service of Newark, NJ, later of Union, NJ, where he would dedicate the rest of his life. All four of his children would work at the family business, but his youngest child, Ron, would become his partner, a point of pride, love and tradition that Ed valued so much. Ed was active in the Boy Scouts. Ed was a Free and Accepted Mason of Loyalty Lodge #33 in Union NJ, where he was a proud four-time past master of the lodge. He was raised a master mason in 1976 when it was Vehslage Lodge in Irvington.
Ed was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62 years, “Ginny” (Virginia A Ditzel, nee Schneider) in 2020. He was also predeceased by his sister Lilian Cain in 1963, his sister Evelyn in 1982, and his brother, Raymond in 2013. He is survived by his four children and their spouses: Virginia and Paul Malecki, Edward A Jr and Lisa (Medway) Ditzel, Raymond J and Joyce (Gronoistasky) Ditzel, and Ronald S and Susan (Nash) Ditzel; his twelve grandchildren: Marc Malecki, Elyse Malecki, Alex Malecki, Arielle Ditzel, Taylor Ditzel, Jordan Ditzel, Elizabeth Ditzel, Cole Ditzel, Abby Ditzel, Amelia Ditzel, Elsie Ditzel, and Evvie Ditzel; and two great grandchildren, Patrick Ditzel and Cameron Ditzel.
Ed’s love, dedication and devotion to Ginny knew no bounds. He was something of an insular man, but to those who became part of his circle, he was fiercely loyal. His gruff nature lent to his nickname, “Sarge”, but to those who knew him, he had a wonderful sense of humor. Ed cherished family gatherings, especially during the holidays. He was an avid woodworker, and his true passion was wood carving, the many planes and boats that he carved decorating the houses of friends and families. He loved Long Beach Island, which held many fond memories, from day fishing as a child with his father to annual vacations with his children and his grandchildren, where so many would enjoy the simple gatherings that would usually find them laughing late into the night.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shriner’s hospital for Children, the St Jude’s Hospital for Children, or the Masonic Home in Burlington would be greatly appreciated. A memorial service for Ed and his wife Ginny will be held on Monday, February 28, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at the Mastapeter Funeral Home in Roselle Park, NJ with an internment at Graceland Cemetery in Kenilworth on March 1st.
Ed was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62 years, “Ginny” (Virginia A Ditzel, nee Schneider) in 2020. He was also predeceased by his sister Lilian Cain in 1963, his sister Evelyn in 1982, and his brother, Raymond in 2013. He is survived by his four children and their spouses: Virginia and Paul Malecki, Edward A Jr and Lisa (Medway) Ditzel, Raymond J and Joyce (Gronoistasky) Ditzel, and Ronald S and Susan (Nash) Ditzel; his twelve grandchildren: Marc Malecki, Elyse Malecki, Alex Malecki, Arielle Ditzel, Taylor Ditzel, Jordan Ditzel, Elizabeth Ditzel, Cole Ditzel, Abby Ditzel, Amelia Ditzel, Elsie Ditzel, and Evvie Ditzel; and two great grandchildren, Patrick Ditzel and Cameron Ditzel.
Ed’s love, dedication and devotion to Ginny knew no bounds. He was something of an insular man, but to those who became part of his circle, he was fiercely loyal. His gruff nature lent to his nickname, “Sarge”, but to those who knew him, he had a wonderful sense of humor. Ed cherished family gatherings, especially during the holidays. He was an avid woodworker, and his true passion was wood carving, the many planes and boats that he carved decorating the houses of friends and families. He loved Long Beach Island, which held many fond memories, from day fishing as a child with his father to annual vacations with his children and his grandchildren, where so many would enjoy the simple gatherings that would usually find them laughing late into the night.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shriner’s hospital for Children, the St Jude’s Hospital for Children, or the Masonic Home in Burlington would be greatly appreciated. A memorial service for Ed and his wife Ginny will be held on Monday, February 28, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at the Mastapeter Funeral Home in Roselle Park, NJ with an internment at Graceland Cemetery in Kenilworth on March 1st.