Edward Joseph Mcevoy

Edward McEvoy was known for his big heart, for his unique sense of humor and devotion to his family and friends. He touched the hearts of so many within his reach. In 1932, America found itself in the midst of the Great Depression. One in every four people was unemployed. It was a hard and challenging time, but in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, Michael J. McEvoy and his wife, Anna R. (Liebler), maintained their positive attitude by focusing on a special blessing in their lives with the birth of their son, Edward, on June 18, 1932. He was the third of nine children: Michael Jr., Mary Ann (who died as an infant), Edward, Thomas, Sarah Jane, Robert, Betty (who died as an infant), Richard and Jeannie. His early years were spent growing up in Kittanning, a small borough on the east bank of the Allegheny River. His parents both worked to support their large family and, with a booming oil industry, the family moved to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan when Ed was an early teenager. His father was a Wildcat Oil Driller and his mother was a secretary at Sacred Heart Parish. Once Ed was old enough, he became a laborer alongside his brothers to help the family survive the aftermath of the Great Depression. Ed attended Sacred Heart Academy and soon after followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in California through his tour of duty. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, Ed returned home to Michigan and worked for a short time in the oil patch. He then took a job as a Warehouse Supervisor with Dow Chemical at World Headquarters in Midland, Michigan. Ed was a loyal employee with Dow for many years before entering retirement. During this time, Ed was introduced to Mary Jo Wiezork through some mutual friends, and they began dating. The two were married at Sacred Heart Church on October 27, 1956, and over the years, they were blessed with five children: Thomas, Timothy, Tarri, Matthew and Mary Jane. A true family man, Ed was so very proud of his children, and derived endless joy from watching them grow. As they got older, each, in their own way, became a special, irreplaceable part of his life " a true friend. Though Eds marriage to Mary Jo eventually ended, he never wavered in being a caring, devoted father to his children. Some time later, Ed was reacquainted with a former classmate from high school named Jeanne (Martin) Trask, and they began dating. They were married in January, 1989, and shared 16 years together before Jeanne died in 2005. His favorite holidays were Thanksgiving, which he spent in Tampa, Florida or Outer Banks, North Carolina, and St. Patricks Day because he was a damn proud Irish/Catholic boy. The family fondly remembers their Christmas at the cabin on Stevenson Lake near Clare, Michigan as one of their most memorable! Friends were also a significant part of Eds life. One of his closest friends was Russ Otterbine, who he knew for over 60 years. Ed would have wanted the rest of his posse to be mentioned too, including Jerry Sheahan, Bill Clare, Bill Myler, Sr., Fred McQuaid, Charles Campbell, Tom Murphy, Lefty Panganis, and Sam Williams (but really the list could go on and on). Ed was as loyal to his friends as he was his family, and there wasnt anything he wouldnt do for any one of them. He had a sarcastically funny sense of humor, and liked to lay it on thick at times when telling a story " but everyone just loved him. Ed was a mans man. He was a huge sports fan, and it was only natural that he was a staunch follower of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He enjoyed playing golf and watching football, and never passed up a good, cold beer. Ed also kept up on sports reading Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest. Church was also an important part of Eds life, and he was a member of the Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor, Florida, as well as the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Ed embraced the love of his family above all else and spent a lifetime making wonderful memories, which will be forever etched on the hearts of all those he leaves behind. He also loved watching his two granddaughters blossom into special little girls. He will be dearly missed. Edward McEvoy, 80, of Oldsmar, FL, passed away on Tuesday, December 25, 2012, at Brookside Hospice House in Palm Harbor, FL. A Funeral Mass for Ed will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski presiding. Burial of his ashes will follow in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or Suncoast Brookside Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Boulevard, Clearwater, FL, 33760. Envelopes will be available at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home or at the church. Ed is survived by five children: Thomas (Kim) McEvoy of Baggs, WY, Timothy McEvoy of Virginia Beach, VA, Tarri McEvoy of Durango, CO, Matthew McEvoy of Orlando, FL and Mary Jane McEvoy of Columbus, OH; two granddaughters, Madelyne Marie McEvoy and Oaklie Jane Mogg; step-daughter, Kim Trask-French of Boston, MA; Eds former wife, Mary Jo McEvoy of Mt. Pleasant; two brothers, Thomas (Juyne) McEvoy of Mt. Pleasant and Robert (Lucy) McEvoy of Naples, FL; and sister, Jeannie (Al) Perkins of Traverse City, MI. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Trask-McEvoy, in 2005; three sisters, Mary Ann McEvoy, Betty McEvoy and Sarah Jane McEvoy; and two brothers, Richard McEvoy and Michael J. McEvoy, Jr. To sign the online guest book or send a condolence to the family, please visit www.charlesrlux.com