Edward B. D'Andrea's Obituary
Edward B. D’Andrea passed away peacefully on November 2, 2015 at the Masonic Home of South Jersey. Born in Philadelphia, Ed was 91 years old. He was a resident of Cinnaminson, NJ.
Ed lived through the depression, speaking only Italian until he went to first grade. He was a 1942 graduate of Overbrook High School in Philadelphia where he played varsity basketball.
He immediately applied for flight school and was rejected because he did not have a driver's license. He went back the next week and told them he had a driver's license and was accepted into the program. He was a Navy pilot and one of his assignments was to fly the scientists to the Marshall Islands where they were testing the atom bomb. After the war he married Edith Kelleher. Ed had many part time jobs to work his way through college, one of his part time jobs was selling Encyclopedia Britannica. He graduated from Temple University with a Master's degree in Health and Physical Education on the GI Bill.
Ed was a teacher and coach at the following Philadelphia high schools: Bok Vocational, Thomas Edison, Central and High School for Engineering and Science. He coached Thomas Edison High School to City Championships in 1966 and 1969. Later in his career, Ed received the Coach of the Year Award in 1986.
Coaching at a time when the talent level in Philadelphia was tremendous, Ed coached against many great coaches and players with the most famous being Wilt Chamberlain, a fellow Overbrook grad. His teams were in the playoffs almost every year.
In his health classes, Ed was ahead of his time teaching sexual education and the responsibilities that follow.
During the summers Ed and Edith owned and managed 2 hotels in Wildwood, NJ.
In 1970-1972, Ed organized and managed a Tennis program for inner-city kids.
His family is very grateful for everything he did.
Beloved husband of 69 years to Edith (nee Kelleher). Loving father of Maureen D’Andrea, Paula (William) Vagnoni, Elaine (Michael) O’Donnell, Gregg (Kathleen) D’Andrea, Edward D’Andrea and Marcy (Joseph) Smith.
Devoted Gramps to John March, Kathleen March, Michelle Skaggs, Michael O’Donnell, II, Danielle Fries, Elaine Farrugia, Andrew O’Donnell, Micky D’Andrea, Kelly D’Andrea, Jacqueline D’Andrea, Shawn D’Andrea, Katherine Smith, Trey Smith, Connor Smith and Kyle Smith.
Great grandfather to William Skaggs, Joseph, Skaggs, Michael Skaggs, Aiden O’Donnell, Sawyer O’Donnell, Graham Farrugia and Ellie Fries.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ed’ s viewing and life celebration Friday 7-9 p.m. and Saturday 9-10 a.m. at Snover/Givnish of Cinnaminson 1200 Route 130 North. His Mass will follow 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church 103 4th Street, Riverton, NJ. Interment with Military Honors, will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
CPT Greg Dalessio Foundation, PO Box 8272, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002.
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