Edward M. Semanchik

Edward M. Semanchik (alias “Fast Eddy”), 92, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026, surrounded by his family. In the final two weeks of his life, all of his children were able to spend meaningful time with him—a reflection of the deep bonds he built throughout his life.

Edward was born in Elizabeth, NJ, on June 12, 1933, to Andrew and Frances Semanchik and was the middle of five children. He attended Jefferson High School, Elizabeth, NJ, and Scotch Plains High School, Scotch Plains, NJ. During his teen years, Edward met his future wife, Barbara Miller. They met through his older brother, Andy, who was dating her older sister, Dolores. Ed and Barbara enjoyed many bike rides through Warinanco Park, Roselle, NJ, and roller skating at the rink.

Edward served as an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force and worked as an airplane mechanic on B47 planes at Eglin Air Force Base in Pensacola, Florida. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After four years of service, he returned to NJ and married his teenage sweetheart, Barbara. Edward worked as a carpenter with his brother, Andy, and built a home in Cranford where Ed and Barbara would raise their seven children. After spending many summer vacations along the Toms River in Island Heights, NJ, it was decided the family would move to Toms River in 1967. Ed started his own business building two homes in Island Heights. He was a skilled and dedicated craftsman who took great pride in working with his hands. For a short time, Ed was an instructor at the Monmouth County Vocational School teaching carpentry. Later in life, he continued his career at Island Beach State Park in the maintenance department where he was dubbed “Fast Eddy” by his co-workers. Ed ultimately retired at the remarkable age of 80.

Ed continued to skate at the roller rink and sometimes with his granddaughters along Almeda Dr. He had a deep love for the water and enjoyed swimming as a boy in Lake Solitude, High Bridge, NJ, and the Toms River. Ed spent many happy hours sailing, including time aboard his beloved Sneakbox and Sunfish sailboats.

Throughout his life, Ed had a curious and inventive spirit. He enjoyed building and flying model airplanes. He was always “fiddling” with projects, often finding creative solutions to everyday challenges. In one memorable example of his ingenuity, Ed built a wind-powered vehicle using a sail from one of his old sailboats, taking a maiden voyage in the parking lot of Island Beach State Park.

Ed loved playing polka music on his record player and sometimes playing it over the phone for others to enjoy. Upon hearing a polka, he often persuaded others to join him on the dance floor. His harmonica was a cherished instrument and Ed often carried it with him to family events and weddings. In fact, he sang and played a tune called “I Told Every Little Star”, a few days before he died. This was a favorite song he sang to Barbara.

Above all, Edward was a devoted family man. He worked tirelessly to support his family, always placing them at the center of his life. Though he spent long hours working, he made time each evening to have dinner with his family sitting at the head of the table and saying bedtime prayers with his children. Ed attended Sunday mass with his family taking up an entire pew. Each summer Ed took his family on many biking, canoeing and camping trips. He was often found working side-by-side with his sons teaching them car and home maintenance. Other projects he enjoyed were building birdhouses, nativity stables for family, rabbit hutches, and installing the property fence. Alongside his sons, he even prepared the ground for installation of a sewer line, built storage sheds, and constructed an above ground pool for the family to enjoy.

Ed had a soft spot for animals. There are several stories about him feeding a raccoon in a dumpster, the fox at Island Beach, stray cats that visited the home, supplying food for the birds, and also picking up a loose dog along the road. With all the Seeing Eye puppies who passed through the home, Ed would often tell others that he wouldn’t be surprised to see a monkey sitting on the couch smoking a cigar!

Family Memories about Ed:

· Willingness to help others with projects

· Making Burger Chef runs for an occasional family treat

· Duct tape was a useful tool for repairs

· When Mom was on a 4-H trip, Dad made bologna and butter sandwiches for school lunches

· Had a collection of recycled items that were often repurposed

· Putting the back seat down in the Station Wagon, loading the sailboat, and whomever was in the back seat had to hold the boat’s front handle to keep the boat in the car while driving to the Toms River

· Learning to sail with Dad

· After a visit, he would say that he was praying for the family

Memories from his grandchildren:

· His excitement to share his pictures and slides; he often carried a disposable camera for taking photos

· Showing his new inventions that he made from things lying around; learned about the value of things found

· Playing the harmonica and singing to Grandma

· Saying “Ohhhhh, well…” when there was nothing else to say

· Always trying to convince the grandchildren to join the Air Force; Showing pictures of airplanes from the Service and always being able to name them

· Sailing with Grandpa

· Taught his grandsons how to pick locks

· Jamming/playing music with cousin, dad, uncle and Grandpa on his harmonica

· Picking up banana-seat bikes along the road for granddaughters to ride

· Being picked up from Island Beach and driving home sooooo slowly

· He never ate dessert right after dinner, “None for me”

· Going to Pep Boys with Grandpa

· Pride in telling others about him, his career at Island Beach and all his “quirks”

Some of Ed’s favorite quotes were:

· “Could be better, could be worse, could be riding in a hearse, and I don’t mean driving”

· “My heart is ticking and I’m still breathing”

· “If you got your health, you have everything”

· “Life is tough if you don’t weaken”

Edward was predeceased by his wife, Barbara; his parents, Andrew and Frances Semanchik; his sister, Mildred Semanchik Leonard and brothers, Andrew Semanchik and Bruce Semanchik; numerous aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and cousins.

Edward is survived by his seven children, 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren: Jo Ann Lopez and husband Dr. Richard Lopez (Dr. Karen Lopez, and Janette Bohensky and husband Stosh and children, Philip and Lucille); Mark Semanchik and wife Vivian Vassar (Raymond Vassar Semanchik and wife Sarah, Louis Vassar Semanchik and fiancé Brenda Abdelmesih, and Delia Vassar Semanchik and partner Taje Crawford); Robert Semanchik; David Semanchik and wife Sherry Miller Semanchik (Jessica DeSomma and husband Dylan, daughter Juniper and soon to come son, and Clayton Semanchik); Stephen Semanchik; Joseph Semanchik and wife Laura Carbonara Semanchik (Nicholas Semanchik and fiancé Casey Abline, and Micaela McAndrew and husband Scott); and Christine Higham and husband John Higham (Marissa Higham and fiancé Radley James)

He is also survived by his sister Barbara Semanchik Baker, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Edward’s memory to:

The Seeing Eye ATTN: D & PR P.O. Box 375 Morristown, NJ 07963-0375 or visit www.seeingeye.org

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph's Church, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River, NJ.

A Committal Service will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Toms River.