Edward E Stevenson

Edward E. Stevenson, age 93, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Beloved husband of nearly 70 years of the late Marge Stevenson; loving father of Douglas Stevenson (Joan) and Nancy Szczepanik (Larry); dear grandfather of Ashley Forrest (Mike) and Jessica Szczepanik; wonderful big brother of the late Joanne Gustin; cherished uncle to Sharon Reichel (Dick) and Karen Norrby (Rob); Great Uncle of Maddy and Jayne Reichel; grandfather to Grandogs, Blaze, Prince, Kodi and Sadie, cousin to many loved ones in Pittsburgh PA and beyond.

If you met Ed (aka Big Ed!) it was impossible not to fall in love with him. He was a kind, gentle, funny, gentleman with a big heart who never met a person he didn’t like. He had the most wonderful life. Brought up by loving parents Freda and Ed Sr. in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, like many young men of his day, he proudly served in the Army shortly after graduating Brentwood High School.

Following his honorable discharge, he took the first job he could find, selling sewing machines at Sears. A pretty young girl working in the credit department walked past his display, and the rest of his life was decided the moment he chased her down to ask her out on a date. They were married six months later, which was the beginning of a marriage and life together that most people can only dream of.

Ed built a long career working in the insurance industry claims department with over 20 years at The Hartford, then many more for a few other employers later always working with insurance claims until he retired in his early 70s. While raising their two children, Marge and Ed, always a team, worked side by side to get it all done. While Ed worked his day job, Marge made the family dinner, then left to work her night shift in the credit department at Sears. Ed enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, attending night classes on the evenings Marge was off work and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology in 1970.

A passionate volunteer, Ed served in many roles including working political campaigns, as voiceover announcer for public television, served as an usher in his church, and was a proud member for a chapter of the Masons in Pittsburgh. Even in his later years, he found a way to volunteer in Ohio, where Marge and Ed had relocated to many years earlier. Ed approached the city of Cleveland government and volunteered to write a build status newsletter for the city’s new baseball stadium to distribute to city of Cleveland residents, getting the idea from looking out his office window which overlooked the new stadium site.

Ed never met a sport he didn’t like (but wouldn’t have lasted five minutes playing football!). He roller skated, played baseball (2nd base) for a community league in Pittsburgh, tennis, racquet ball, bowling, swimming and even rode horses. Ed loved music and played the clarinet. He had a CD collection so large he could have opened a retail store. Photography was another passion. There was always a camera in his hand.

Ed also had many interests and activities he shared with Marge. They took ballroom dancing lessons, cooking classes, belonged to a couple’s bridge club, a few gourmet dinner groups, had season tickets to a few local theaters, enjoyed countless parties with friends and neighbors and took lots of vacations! Their favorite vacation spot was The Greenbrier; usually spent enjoying it with other couples. Spending time alone on their back patio with a few adult beverages was just as enjoyable to those love birds. They were usually holding hands, which if asked, was probably his favorite thing to do!

While we will all miss Ed, we are overjoyed that he is now spending eternity with Marge where he belongs, no doubt, holding hands.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be forwarded to the Alzheimer’s Association, by phone at 800.272.3900, on the internet at www.alz.org or by mail at:

Alzheimer's Association

ATTN: Donor Service

225 N. Michigan Ave., FL 17th

Chicago, IL 60601

All services are private. Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home. 440.331.0999.