Edward E. Kelemen of West Milford, N.J., formerly of Clifton and Pequannock, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2020. He was 82 years of age.
Edward was born in 1938 in Clifton, New Jersey, to Joseph and Mary Kelemen.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958.
He met and married the love of his life, Margaret O’Connor, in 1962. They settled and raised their family in Clifton, New Jersey. He worked for several printing companies as a pressman. They moved to Pequannock in 1987 and later to West Milford in 2002.
Ed was a loving husband, a dedicated father, a proud grandpa and a loyal friend. He loved nothing more than being surrounded by family and friends, but he also had many passions and interests.
He was a spiritual man and a devout parishioner at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey.
Ed loved the outdoors, especially trout fishing, camping and watching nature from his deck, while tending to his pepper plants. A true music man, he loved collecting and playing all sorts of instruments and especially enjoyed listening to live music.
He loved making people laugh, whether it was through practical jokes or sharing army stories with his lifelong friend, Jack Shuman. Everyone loved how his whole body shook with laughter.
He was always ready for a party, anywhere, any time, any place. He was a true foodie, he enjoyed a good chicken parm, testing out new recipes in the kitchen and was always ready for a hot dog tour.
He could fix anything.
A perfect afternoon for Ed would be having a Yankees game on, playing sudoku and being with Marge and the cats. Marge was his best friend and he loved her unconditionally. Their love for each other was apparent to anyone who spent time with them, making it a delight just to be around them.
We will love him and miss him forever.
He was predeceased by his father Joseph Kelemen; his mother Mary Kelemen (née Furesz); his brother Bill Kelemen; his sister Mary Nikovits and his nephew Richard Nikovits.
Ed is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marge; his children: Susan Reinhart and her husband Michael and Ron Kelemen and his wife Lucyanne; his grandchildren Michael and Marisa Reinhart and Sean and Haley Kelemen; his nieces Mary Anne, Linda, Doreen and Kathy; his nephews Kevin, Michael, Thomas and James; numerous grand nieces and grand nephews; his Godchildren John, Lisa, Edward and Thomas; his family-of-the-heart Joe, Jeanine, Jan, Tami, Ronnie (decd.); and numerous family, friends and loved ones.
There will be a Memorial Mass on Saturday, July 11, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in Ed’s memory to St. Mary’s Food Pantry.
Log onto www.sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com tribute wall to personally post your condolences, memories, photos and videos, as well as driving directions to the church.