Ed Rockland

Ed Rockland, 76, passed away on May 9, 2020, as the result of a bicycling accident. Ed was born in the Bronx, New York, on July 27, 1943, to Benjamin Rockland and Julia Kaletsky Rockland. He was a proud graduate of Bronx High School of Science where he was captain of the basketball team. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from The City College of New York and his master’s from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His first job was teaching cane travel to the blind in New York City. After marrying Carole (Gilbert) Rockland in 1967, he began his teaching career in Prince George’s County, Maryland. In 1969 he moved to Pennsylvania where he would teach in the Derry Township School District (Hershey) for nearly 30 years. The Rocklands moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona, in 2011.

Ed had great passion for teaching and continued to follow his students after his retirement, celebrating their many accomplishments. He loved cycling, and had cycled in 49 states and 17 foreign countries. He also enjoyed tennis, reading, writing, movies, telling stories, ice cream, and the New York Yankees. He was an active participant in New Adventures in Learning in Sun Lakes, both as a student and teacher. His love of teaching inspired him to volunteer in classrooms, first in Derry Township and most recently at Frye Elementary in Chandler, AZ.

Ed is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carole, and his much-loved sons David, of Chicago, IL, and Scott, of Gilbert, AZ, and his amazing grandson, Jackson, of San Marcos, CA.

A celebration of life will be held in the fall. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to either: New Adventures in Learning, ℅ CGCC, 25105 S. Alma School Rd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 (checks only) or Chandler Education Foundation, 1525 West Frye Rd., Chandler, AZ 85224 (direct online payments to Frye Elementary School).