Dear family Wiklund! I have been thinking of Ed and Nita many times, and tried to reach them unsuccessfully. Spesially this month - Nitas birthday - 23. August.  Now I am 100 years old - ten years older than Nita, my dear friend since Norway 1952. And today I found this sad notice. Esta triste noticia y deseo compartir con Nita, sus hijos y nietos su profundo dolor. I am Mexican, widow - my beloved Norwegian husband, Hans, died in 2007.  Please write to me and tell about Nita. I send h.er and all of you, dear Wiklunds, my love. Vitza Manriue Langseth .

Edgard era primo da minha mãe Susana, falecisa em 2020.
Eu o chamava de Tio Fonfa. 
Tio Fonfa e tio Loti, eram especiais. Sempre alegres e muito atenciosos. 
Lembro do tio Fonfa ,falando com entusiasmo da sua linda familia e de tudo que fazia .
Tio Fonfa era muito querido.
Estamos tristes.
Fiquem na certeza :  "A VIDA NÃO É TIRADA,MAIS TRANSFORMADA"   (Prefácio Católico).
Tio Fonfa esta agora no céu, zelando por todos.
Meus pêsames e meu carinho para tia Nita e todos vocês.
Paz e Bem.     
Christina

I was Ed’s agent on longboat key.  We talked about travel a lot and specifically Byebos Aires and Bariloche.  I will miss our talks and he was so great in business.  I did not know he had passed and had been texting and emailing him from Buenos Aires the last few weeks. 
I have never met a guy that energetic about life and I was very thankful to have him as a friend.  I hope his sons are well as I met one son on longboat one year

So sorry to hear this sad news. Tio "Fonfa" Edgard brings back so many memories of my early life.  Alway inquisitive and frequently funny, I still remember his adaptations to well-known Bossa Nova hits on the piano! (I'm singing one in my head as I write this).
Great guy, fond memories.
My thoughts and prayers to all of you at this difficult time.
Love,
Roberto

Dearest Nita and family, I am so sorry to hear you have lost your precious Ed. Gifted, gracious Ed. Grateful for over Fifty years of friendship. Thankful for the lifetime of wonderful memories and the strength of your devoted family to sustain you. Sending hugs and love, Peggy and Jim Karpowicz
Peggy Karpowicz

There is not a time in my life that did not have Tio Edgard and Tia Nita and the boys in it in some form or fashion.  Our families have been friends longer than I’ve been alive, and my memories of Tio Edgard are always of him smiling and sharing his knowledge and wanting to hear more about us.  I always felt so welcomed and loved in their home, and I’m so thankful for that.  My now 18-year old and I were just talking about our memories, and she remembered him showing her how to make origami when she was around 6.  It just speaks to the kind of man he was to take time out for everyone.  Tio Edgard, you will be missed!  Much love to all the Wiklunds!

I had to share a picture of the 3 Musketeers!  These 3 shared so much laughter and joy when they were together.  I know my mom was waiting for Tio Edgard with open arms when he arrived in heaven, and I can just imagine the shenanigans they’re getting into!

My Condolences, he was a very nice person.

Ed 
You were a special gem!!You always  played Rock of Ages for me.You had many skills on your piano but no matter what key you put me in  was a lost case. God gave me a  voice that is totally off key.
I hope when I join you God will only Iet me sing in your Mansion

Was blessed meeting you in the 1960’s and later with my second husband and you and Randy are the same age.The 1930’s must be special as you all are the best 

Love hugs and angel wings 
Jo Ann and Randy

Ed's smile was like a beacon of warmth, a rare blend of sincerity and boundless curiosity. I remember how in conversation Ed listened intently, his smile never wavering. He delighted in hearing the details of an experience, creation, or new recipe. Ed's interest in what was going on in our lives was not just polite, it was heartfelt and unwavering, a testament to the depth of his kindness and the strength of his character.

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Tio Edgar. He was so full of life and such a joy to be around. 
Growing up in Atlanta, the Wiklunds were an extension of our nuclear family. When they moved to Brazil, they became a part of our adventures there, too.  
I am so grateful to have grown up with Tio Edgar in my life.  He was always the life of the party. He was one of a kind.
My heart goes out to you all. 
Beijos, 
Soninha

Ed has been my dear friend for over 3 decades.
Because of him I met Nita, Dennis, Alex and the amazing Wiklund family.
I will always cherish his friendship and remember him as the most interesting man in the world.
My son, Yan, shares the same thoughts and always had high regards for Ed as a role model.
We are so grateful with deep appreciation for what he did for us.
Thank you Ed for having such a positive impact in our lives as a person and a businessman.
Even my friends who got to know you had admiration for you.
We will keep you close to our hearts forever.
See you again one day.

Several of you have mentioned my meeting, Edgard ... and it is true.  The Santos Futebol Clube came to Atlanta for an exhibition game against the Atlanta Chiefs Soccer Club in August of 1968.  We played before a crowd of over 26 thousand spectators.  Edgard helped with ticket sales and translated for us.  He made me and my Brazilian teammates all feel welcome in Atlanta.  We are playing the beautiful game now up in heaven to the rhythm of Edgard's batucada !!!

I miss Ed, my father-in-law and a human tower of strength unlike anyone I've encountered. We all looked to him. Ed believed in me when I was a college student, he and Nita attending my graduations as if I were their daughter. They were so proud of me and so very generous to me, even opening their Rye home to me so that I could live economically as I attended medical school in the Bronx.

I not only married Ed's youngest son Alex, I married the Wiklund family as well as their family business. And what a glorious journey it has been! Ed was always there for us, helping with our first home, advising us in our careers and running point for one too many after school activities. Our children adored him. We never anticipated life without him.

"[But] life goes on," as Alex painfully remarked when the world beckoned his attention in the midst of his budding grief. Ed's simple words, offered after a serious glitch in the early days of my career, echo, "Keep doing what you're doing. I know your history. It will pay off." So, we go to work just as Ed taught us. We are eternally grateful for your example. And look forward to seeing your joyful smile when we meet again.  Goodbye for now.

I will forever cherish Ed’s enthusiasm for studying and mastering new topics whether it  was mastering the art of baking Viking bread, making sweet pastry filling, creating Memojis to send his family or, working on a piano score. I will miss Ed’s adventurous stories of flying his own airplane with his brother Eric back in days of when he sold office supplies. I admired Ed’s “There’s a solution to every problem” attitude even for problems that he own doctors couldn’t solve. I will deeply miss  Ed’s loving essence. With love and sorrow,  Kathleen Hart (Kathy)

I had to pleasure of meeting Dennis Wiklund in 8th grade at OLM, and afterwards met his parents at their apartment on Ipanema Beach - they were living in STYLE !   Only later did I realize that Edgar and Nita were not your average Americans relocating to Rio de Janeiro for work as your typical ‘gringos’.  They were coming back home to Rio – they were “Cariocas”- as the locals are called in Rio.     That lifestyle is a dream I have had since those days - Edgar and Nita were able to live that dream for a few years with their sons, which is awesome.    

I remember a photo of Edgar with Pelé in the US, probably Atlanta but maybe NY, as I understood he was involved with helping bring soccer to the USA early on.   That is another amazing life event, as Pele was still active and would later win the 3rd World Cup for Brasil, but would eventually play for the NY Cosmo’s.     

Edgar was a very successful businessman and went on to start his own venture - World Trade Service – which of course has become a great family business that will help carry on his legacy for decades to come …    

We are very sorry for your loss, Edgar was truly one-of-a-kind!

Dave Serrano

Hello.
I met Mr. Wiklund and Nita in 2017 when I visited from New Jersey with my children to meet my fiance's family in Georgia.
Mr.  Wiklund was a huge presence and was generous with his gift of time. 
Ed took a genuine interest in us and we were impressed by his sophistication.
I especially remember Ed making my teenage daughter feel loved and important as they spent time sharing stories about themselves after their initial introduction.
Our greatest gift received and then to give is our time.
Rest in peace ERW.

Even though I knew Ed for less time than some people, I was able to instantly appreciate the charisma and passion that he carried through his life. He had a powerful curiosity and was always learning new things, qualities that inspired my wife, his granddaughter, Sydney. I was always so impressed when she would tell me that Ed was learning new hobbies such as photo shop, or that he had composed a new piece of music. His legacy certainly lives on in his family and he will be greatly missed.

Ed and Nita with Marion and Dario Campos at the Brazilian Consulate in New York City.

To Nita, children, grandchildren and to the whole family

Back in the 1980’s, Ed came silently into our lives, and he never left. It is very hard for me to  come up with words to describe him: how does one describe a Mensch? Someone who has a privileged mind? Combined with a huge heart? Someone who was always there if you were  uncertain of what to do? 

As our friendship with Ed grew from our initial contact at the Brazilian Consulate, it was Ed and his lovely wife Nita who gave us advice about where to settle down, in the wonderful city of Rye. 

He welcomed us every time, and we always left a bit lighter with his gracious advice. If there is a  Perfect Friend , that’s what Ed was. He changed the entire trajectory of our family’s life, with his great humor and his sound advice.

After my husband’s passing this last February, Ed told me he was soon going to be with Dario, and that they would then do what they loved to do : exchange jokes. 

May Nita, their children and grandchildren, find solace at this difficult time, by seeing the great impact Ed had on our lives and the lives of many others. May his generosity and humanity live forever as we celebrate his amazing life .

Marion

5/20/2024, El Dorado Hills, California
Dear Wiklund Family,
Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of Edgard.
He was the kindest neighbor and friend we knew and an incredible family man and entrepreneur.
We will always remember his original stories about his experience with Pele in promoting soccer in the USA.
Karen and Wifredo Brunet

I think that my Uncle Ed’s secret to longevity was his never-ending child-like curiosity about almost anything. Once he had a new idea he dug to the depths to uncover all of its mysteries.  (And then he had to share the wealth of what he had found with anyone who would listen!)  I saw this many times, whether it was discussing his latest ideas about a piano composition, or a rare picture he had found of his father in the Rio of the 1930’s. We have a wealth of Wiklund history because of his “family genealogy period.”  

Ed was fun, full of love and enthusiasm.  He was easier for me to talk to than my own father (his brother) and was truly interested in what I was doing, especially when it came to music.  We had so many great chats about music theory! 

His boundless energy led him to start his own extremely successful company based on a concept that no one had ever thought of before. His genius created a lasting legacy for his four boys and their children, all of whom he adored. 

But most amazing was his marriage to Nita. There was no other woman for him - in fact I don’t think he even noticed other women - and he was devoted to her, (even if it seemed for awhile that he was more interested in setting up an intricate communication system so he could get a sharp view of Brazil playing World Cup soccer.)

I loved Ed dearly and my heart is broken at his passing.  At least I have a bit of solace knowing that he and my dad are together telling jokes in Portuguese.  

Godspeed dear uncle.

Ed and all the Wiklund boys (except Eddie) at Drew’s high school graduation dinner.
-2015 

Poppop was always invested in not just my accomplishments, but those of all his grandchildren. He was always so excited to hear about every new development in my life, and I always got a kick out of seeing whatever new hobby he had in his. It would never be something you would expect of someone in their 90s, like photoshopping pictures and TikTok scrolling.

My parents, Vron and Chris with Ed, circa 1991

I lost my father when I was 24 so Ed was always like a second father to me. I looked up to him as the patriarch of the Wiklund family. His priority was to work hard and provide the best for his family, which he did tirelessly.  But Ed also had a very creative side and was very passionate about learning new things.  He could play piano masterfully. He learned how to bake bread, and then to cook later in life. The list goes on. And it was this side of him I found so endearing! I remember thinking he could’ve done anything if he put his mind to it. 

Ed was also very loving and caring toward me through some hard times. He really did treat me like a daughter and made me feel loved. I will always remember him this way.  And he was also my partner in crime whenever we would go out to dinner and needed something chocolate for dessert. We shared that love for chocolate all through the years and laughed & conspired about it too!

I saw Ed in a new light as ‘Poppop’ with his grandchildren. He of course enjoyed playing with Sydney & Drew when they were kids but it’s really the relationships he nurtured with them as adults that’s most impressive. I thought it was very sweet how each of them had their own special relationship with him and how he influenced their lives in such a positive and supportive way. I’m very grateful that they had such a wonderful grandfather and loving memories to last their lifetime. 

Rest in peace, Ed. You will always be in my heart. 

Love your ‘daughter’,
Debbie

Edgar. I don’t remember ever calling him Ed. It was always Edgar to me. Maybe because of his height, or maybe because of a sign of respect (a Brazilian thing), and of course because he was my boss. A boss for whom I had the utmost admiration. When I think of Ed, all I can see is that big beautiful smile of his. What a great guy. I always admired Ed, first because we shared our nationality, both Brazilians, both naturalized Americans but what stood out about Ed was his intelligence. He knew a lot of things, and solved any problems that came his way with diplomacy. Sometimes he could be seen as "my way or the highway" at work, but like we say in Portuguese: Ed was a MACACO VELHO, in other words, he knew what he was doing because he had lived it, experienced it. 
One funny memory that I have about Ed was him trying to teach me (a good fork) how to eat healthier. I still have all the books in good nutrition he recommended to me.
I only carry a huge gratitude for Edgar. He gave me an opportunity and that changed my life. It is like him set me on a future I could have never imagined. It was through Ed, that I met my husband. Both Shawn and I are grateful and very honored to have met Ed. What a great guy!
Our eternal love to the family,
Lucia and Shawn Shaeffer

I met Mr. Wiklund back in 2008 when he hired me to be his landscaping contractor. We became really close and good friends. I truly admire the person he was. He always was happy to see the accomplishments of others. I will always remember when he told me “I don’t care about competition, I care about doing the right thing.” I related to him a lot. He will be missed and I sincerely appreciated him.

To his family:
We’re so very sorry for your loss. Our family will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.

We first got to know Edgard and Nita in the early 1970's, when Edward moved back from the United States to Rio de Janeiro to work with the Lorentzen Group. Our relationship continued after the Wiklund's had resettled in Rye, NY and we in nearby New Canaan, CT. We kept in close contact during those years.  Since then life moved us geographically further apart, but long distance communications were kept up.
Edward was a remarkable and vivacious person both in  business and privately, memories which shall for ever live with us.
Helge and Celia Pedersen

Papa Ed...the great orator.  I loved family gatherings where he would share these amazing adventures from his life. He would provide such vivid details like it happened the day before. I would hang on every word he said, listening intently. It was like a parent reading a bedtime story to their child.  He could tell a story to us all, felt as if we were traveling to that time and space.  He was a second father to me and I am already missing him so much!

Papa Ed...the consummate learner. Always reinventing, rethinking, challenging himself on a daily basis.  His mind was a engine.

Dear 
Nita, Eddie, Dennis, Karl and Alex,
and the rest of the family.

We are so sorry to hear about your loss of  your dearest Ed. Husband and father. 
We are  thinking very much of you all . 

Lots of love from
Anne Sofie Harbitz and Christine
Nita’s cousin in Norway with daughter.

Every time we left Popop and Nana’s house, without fail, Popop would surprise us with one of my favorite memories. He would pretend he was just waving goodbye, but would hide a big cup of water behind his back that he would dump all over the car. He would splash the windshield and then come around the car and splash me and my siblings at each of the windows we were sitting at. I began to look forward to departing their house just to experience this tradition, that still felt like a surprise every visit. I remember laughing so hard with Alex and Kelby and talking about it the whole way home. I’m not sure how this tradition came to be, but that’s the kind of ideas Popop’s innovative and creative mind could come up with. He was able to turn something as simple as a cup filled with water into an exciting activity. He was a true inventor. Even now, whenever I drive up Nana and Popop’s driveway I’m reminded of those memories and how he filled us with so much laughter and joy. Thank you Popop, for always making us laugh

The staff of Roswell Funeral Home and Green Lawn Cemetery would like to extend our most sincere condolence to the Wiklund Family. We would like to thank you for entrusting the care of your love one into our hands. Please remember you are not alone and we will always be here for you. 

Roswell Funeral Home and
Green Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum

OBITUARY

Edgard Ramon Wiklund

23 April, 1930 – 17 May, 2024

Roswell Funeral Home & Green Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum

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