Edward Nicholas Abourjilie

Edward N. Abourjilie, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 11, 2022 in Richmond. Ed, “Eddie”-“Dad”- “Grandpa”- “Superman”, was born in Norfolk, VA to the late Elias George and Lois V. Abourjilie. He was also predeceased by his first wife and the “Love of his Life”, Frankie Balfour Abourjilie, his daughter Susan Abourjilie, grandson Michael E. Stricklin, sister, Olga Abourjilie Girardin, brother, Robert E. Abourjilie, brother George Abourjilie, and second wife, Sadie Key Abourjilie. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Lehman Abourjilie, his daughters, Rebecca Stricklin, Denise Abourjilie, and son, Charlie Abourjilie; his grandchildren, Mathew Stricklin, Jordan Abourjilie, Edward “Cole” Abourjilie, and Austin Abourjilie; brother, William N. Abourjilie, sister, Alice H. Rodriguez; Daughter-in-law, Karen H. Abourjilie; stepsons, Tripp and Greg Lehman; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and step grandchildren.

Ed (“Dad” and “Grandpa”) was a loving son, brother, father, grandpa and husband.

He was a former United State Marine. After family and friends, his second “love” was handball, which he played and excelled in at both the state and national levels, winning championships as both a single and doubles player. He loved and worked in the newspaper industry, the Virginia Pilot and Ledger Star, and Miami Herald, for over 30 years, and he spent the last 27 years of his career as a tech rep for Bear Island Paper Mill in Ashland, VA. In the newspaper and newsprint industries, Ed was seen as a giant and servant leader who befriended all and worked tirelessly beside the men and women he served in pressrooms all over the country and abroad. He loved sports, boxing was his favorite, traveling, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, but more than anything, he loved family and life.

A visitation will be from 5-7pm, Wednesday, February 16, 2022, immediately followed by a memorial service from 7-8pm, at Woody’s Funeral Home-Parham, 171 North Parham Rd., Richmond, VA 23229. A burial and grave-side service will be held at 1pm at Forrest Lawn Cemetery, 8100 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23505. Following the burial service, there will be a reception at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502, to fellowship with family and celebrate Ed’s life.