Ed was born to immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New York on May 6, 1926. He passed away on Dec 12, 2015 at the end of a life well-lived. The technical, social and historical changes that occurred during his lifetime were staggering but he always managed to keep a keen wit with the changing times.
Ed grew up during the Great Depression, never losing sight of the lessons he learned from those times. He attended NYC's PS 110, PS 126 and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School. He entered the Navy's V-12 Officer's Training at Cornell University continuing on to the University of Rochester where he graduated. Later he would graduate with a Master's degree from Drexel Institute of Technology.
Ed met the love of his life when he met June on a trolley car going to the beach one summer's day. Six months later they married in NYC. Several years later Ed joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and remained a faithful member until his passing. He served in many church callings including Home Teacher, High Councilman, Bishop (for 10 years), and Temple Worker.
Ed worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad designing commissaries and dining cars. He also worked at Western Electric Research Center in Princeton, New Jersey where he retired after 25 years of service. He and his family then moved to Salt Lake City where he worked for Sorenson Research/Abbott Laboratories. After he left Abbott Laboratories he studied Russian at the University of Utah, brushed up on his Polish and visited family living in Belarus and Poland.
In retirement Ed volunteered at the SLC Public Library, the SLC Food Bank, the Utah Prader-Willey organization, Holy Cross Hospital and The Bridges Volunteer Program. In 2000, he was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by the Salt Lake County school district for his unique and tireless attention to the students at Jackson Elementary School. Together with June, he served an LDS Inner City Mission in Salt Lake City assisting immigrants and the less fortunate.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife June, his parents Joseph Spurgiesz and Victoria Pauline Ogrodnik and his younger sister, Gloria Pauline Spurgiesz Balander. He is survived by his children April Colton (Steve), Mark, Bruce (Jill deceased), Daniel and Robert; 8 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. While his generosity, great sense of humor and love of life will be missed by all who knew him, it can be said that he, "fought a good fight, finished his course and kept the faith."
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 18 at 11:00 AM at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 Fairfax Rd (off of Virginia St), SLC. Family and friends may call Thursday evening December 17 from 6:00 -8:00 PM at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, and Friday morning from 9:45-10:45 AM at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.LarkinCares.com.
