Ed McComsey

LAKEWOOD – A beloved Toms River dentist, known for his kindness, charity, and corny jokes, has died at 91.

When Ed McComsey and his wife, Alicia, moved to Toms River in 1957, he was one of eight dentists in town. The practice quickly outgrew its home office on Main Street and moved to its present location on the Toms River, now Riverfront Dental. He practiced for 45 years.

Ed loved the water and moved to Toms River so he could learn to sail. He and Alicia owned several sailboats over the years and cruised much of the Eastern Seaboard. They joined the Toms River Yacht Club in 1958, where Ed served as commodore in 1973 and achieved Lifetime Member status.

Three other passions played major roles in his life: running, painting, and the nightly martini.

Ed started running in the ‘60s before it became a fad and onlookers questioned what he was running from. Every Saturday morning for 40+ years, he met a group in Seaside to run the boardwalk and meet for breakfast afterward. As a longtime member and past president of Kiwanis of Greater Toms River, he started the River to Bay 5K, a road race around Island Heights that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local charities. The May 2022 race will be its 30th running.

Ed’s nickname, “The Jazzy Watercolorist,” illustrates his creative side as a watercolor artist who loved listening to Big Band music as he painted. Many friends and organizations feature “Ed originals” on their walls. One of his most notable paintings is the olive-garnished martini glass, a nod to his favorite evening cocktail. He drew dozens of fish illustrations that were published in his daughter Lisa’s book, Seagan Eating.

A Jersey boy through and through, Ed was born in Camden but moved around the state with his father’s job as a superintendent of schools. He graduated Fair Lawn High School, went to Bucknell University (class of ’52), and graduated from dental school at the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the Navy and practiced dentistry at the U.S. Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C. for two years.

While in D.C., he met Alicia on what he called “a very blind date,” and they were married within eight months. With Alicia, he traveled six of the seven continents. One of his favorite places in the world was Key West.

Ed died peacefully with family by his side. He was predeceased by his parents, Ed and Frances. Surviving are his wife, Alicia; four children and their spouses: Scott (Julie), Lisa (Rick), Leslie (Bobby), and Marisa (Gavin); six grandchildren: Campbell, Tristan, Madsen, Declan, Montana, and Kirstin; and great-granddaughter, Addyson. Also surviving are his sister, Carol (Bob), two nieces, Jennifer and Holly, a nephew, Rob, and their families.

A celebration of life is tentatively scheduled for May 26, 2022. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Ed’s memory to one of his favorite charities: Kiwanis Club of Greater Toms River, SmileTrain, or World Wildlife Fund.

One of Ed’s favorite sayings was, “It’s five o’clock somewhere!” Raise a glass to him tonight.