Obituary of Edwin Boquist

Edwin R. Boquist passed away Sunday, November 29th at 4:05 AM peacefully with both of his daughters by his side holding his hands, while his wife, grandchildren, and son-in-law were sharing their final thoughts on the phone. Ed is predeceased by daughter, Kimberly Boquist Hoare. He is survived by his wife, Diana, his daughters, Kelly Patterson (Calvin) and Kerry Boquist, his grandchildren, Andrew Hoare (Tiana), Kasey Hoare, CJ and Andrew Patterson, and his great grandson, Henry Hoare. Ed lived a life full of adventure, compassion, zest for life, and used humor to gain a smile and to lighten the moods of others around him. He was kind, generous, and welcoming to everyone who knew him which was reflected by the love and admiration others had for him. He was hardworking, innovative, and creative which allowed him to partake in many different activities and jobs throughout his life. Ed was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 8, 1937. He attended The Ohio State University earning a five year degree in Aeronautical Engineering, was a member of the ATO fraternity, and was football and lacrosse player for the Buckeyes. Ed married his childhood sweetheart, Diana, on June 9, 1961. He served three years in the Navy stationed in Long Beach, California on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and retired as a lieutenant. Ed obtained his master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University, while living on Merritt Island, Florida. While in Florida, he worked for General Dynamics Astronautics on the Atlas Centar space program. He later joined the Boeing Aircraft Company working on the launch team of the Saturn V rocket, which landed the first man on the moon. In 1969, Ed accepted a job at the Westinghouse Defense and Space Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Westinghouse moved Ed to its Headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1971 and he later worked on the new concept of nuclear power. In 1976, Westinghouse moved Ed to the Elevator Division in New Jersey where he later became manager of the Randolph Plant. After Schindler Elevators and Escalators acquired Westinghouse, Schindler moved Ed to their headquarters in Morristown, NJ to start up and lead the product line management group for their division of foreign industries. After retiring, Ed was a consultant for New York City Renovations with Van Deusen & Associates. His projects included NJ transit, FIT, and Radio City Music Hall. Ed was actively involved in his community and church. In Pennsylvania, he was president of the PTA and later on, he was president of the Junior Achievement Board in New Jersey. He was also a member of Jaycees, a philanthropic group. Ed was an active member of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, having been an Elder, Trustee, and a Stephen Minister over the last 43 years. Throughout his life Ed enjoyed doing activities with his daughters, and was Chief of All Tribes as well as Medicine Man for Indian Princesses, a YMCA run program. He also enjoyed playing Santa for all his daughters’ schools, Weichert Realtors, and his friends and family. Ed was an active runner, golfer, bowler, and played paddle tennis with friends and family. He socially enjoyed the new foods in the gourmet group, wine tasting, and playing bridge. Ed loved doing yard work, riding the mower and planting flowers and trees for different seasons, as well as putting up his “popular” Christmas Tree with his girls. He was an avid traveler around the world, and relished the cultures and unique experiences of all fifty states, and a multitude of countries. His favorite place to visit was NYC to attend Broadway musicals and Thanksgiving Day Parades, and seeing the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Family & friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, December 4th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. A memorial service will be done at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church at a later date in 2021 once we our given the okay to have a celebration of Ed’s life.