Ed McGinn of East Falls, Philadelphia, PA died at the age of 93 after complications from a fall. Ed passed peacefully on July 2, 2024 with family by his side. He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Jeane.
Ed was born on November 13, 1930 in Southwest Philadelphia. He was the oldest son of Edward M. McGinn and Anna McGinn of Good Shepherd Parish. Edward was preceded in death by his brother Bill and his sister-in-law Jean. He is survived by his siblings Michael (Sheila), Joe (Peggy) and Nancy Maxwell; Brother-in-law of Joanne (Rossberg) and Louis DeSantis; Father of Edward Jr. (Janice) and Maureen O’Keeffe (Mel); Grandfather of Tara Gallina (Michael), Moira Giordano (Steve), Emily Baldwin (William), and Christine McGinn. Ed was proud to have seven great-grandchildren.
Ed’s beloved wife of 64 years, Jeane (Rossberg) McGinn, passed on September 6, 2020. Ed and Jeane met while he was a camp counselor while they were in college. Ed and Jeane were married at St. Bridget Church in East Falls on December 3, 1955. After a few years in Michigan they returned to East Falls with young Ed and Maureen. They loved raising their children in East Falls, and lived there for more than 60 years.
Ed graduated from West Catholic High School in 1948. Before attending college, Dad attended a short academic program at Brown Prep in Philadelphia and played basketball for Big Brothers and Nate Ben’s Reliable. Ed then played basketball at Great Lakes Recruit Training Command while in the US Navy. He earned a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Notre Dame, and was a member of a very successful team that advanced to the Elite Eight his Senior year.
Upon graduation from Notre Dame in 1954, Ed returned to the Navy and served at the end of the Korean War. He was stationed in Sasebo, Japan, and ultimately earned the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade before he was honorably discharged in 1956.
Ed negotiated labor agreements for Pennsalt (later Pennwalt then Elf Atochem) for nearly 40 years. He effectively represented the company in labor negotiations across the country. Ed earned the respect of the labor unions with which he negotiated.
While he loved to play basketball, his true passion was baseball. Ed loved to go see the Phillies play at Connie Mack Stadium and he remained an avid fan throughout his life. He was a devoted Notre Dame fan, and he enjoyed all Philadelphia sports. When asked how he was sleeping in his older years, he would say it depended upon how the Phillies played. He loved to play golf. His home course was Walnut Lane on Henry Avenue in East Falls.
Ed was proud to be from Philadelphia. He enjoyed frequenting his favorite spots in his neighborhood: Billy Murphy’s Saloonery in East Falls for a sandwich and a Yuengling; Bob’s Diner and Davia’s on Ridge Avenue for breakfast.
With the sustained support of family, friends, and East Falls neighbors, Ed continued to live a happy and productive life on Penn Street after Jeane’s passing. He was a dedicated Roman Catholic, and he cherished being a parishioner of St. Bridget Church. He would walk a mile down Midvale Avenue many days a week to attend Mass. He could always rely on his supportive and caring fellow parishioners to give him a ride home after Mass.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Ed’s Funeral Service on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024. The viewing will begin at St. Bridget Church at 9:00AM. Words of remembrance will begin 10:15AM, followed by the Mass at 10:30AM. Interment will follow at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, 225 Belmont Avenue in Bala Cynwyd.
Dear Ed, Janice and Maureen: I am so very sorry for your loss. Your dad and mine were part of a special class of people. Dad and he loved to swap stories about Philadelphia high school basketball and the big 5. I cherish the days I listened to them talking.Ed I hope you were able to make the trip to Notre Dame for the reunion. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
It was always good to run into Ed. I recently sat with him over at McMichael Park. He was telling me how his nickname used to be Spider when he played for Notre Dame. He was always so very kind and he will be missed.