Edward Daniel Wirkman, loving family man
Edward Daniel Wirkman, 90, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. He was born Feb. 15, 1933, to Emanuel and Gertrude (Neumann), grew up in Jersey City, N.J., and graduated from Dickinson High School.
Ed enlisted into the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1950, was activated in May 1952, spent almost two years at sea on the USS Quincy during the Korean Conflict, and was released from active duty in March 1954.
In August 1958, Ed married his love, Michele Simone Stone. They raised their three children in Cliffside Park, N.J. Ed earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from St. Peter’s College and worked for Bell Telephone Company. Michele passed away in 1974.
In the early 1980s, Ed moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where he worked for Southwest Bell. After retiring in 1986, Ed moved to Maryland and worked as a certified property manager in Montgomery Village. He met Mary Geraldine “Geri” Kopp and the two became close, loving partners. Geri passed away in 1999.
At the time of his death, Ed had been living on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for many years and was a longtime member of Temple Bat Yam, Berlin, Md. He met Leslie Segall at the Temple, sharing life together until she passed away in 2017.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Michele; his brother, Alvin; his partner, Geri; and his partner, Leslie. Ed will be lovingly remembered by his sister, Florence; daughters, Lori (Gary), Debra and Susan (Greg); grandchildren, Sean, Rebecca, Joshua and Simone, great-grandchildren, Bryan and Amiyah; plus many cousins, nieces and nephews. He also held a special place in his heart for Geri’s children, Mike, Jenny, Lisa, Jeffrey and Jason.
Ed loved music, the ocean, traveling, swimming, playing poker, and spending time with family and friends. He was a mensch, always available for those he loved and cared about.
His favorite charities include the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Alzheimer's Association.
A military burial service will begin at 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 18, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
A religious service will begin at 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20, at Temple Bat Yam, Berlin, Md.
