Edward L. Charlton

Edward Charlton died peacefully in his own bed, in his own home, at ten o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, following a brief illness with pneumonia. His devoted daughter, Kathleen, was by his side holding his hand. He was 95.

Edward was born on February 27th, 1930, in Philadelphia and grew up on Carlisle Street near Broad and Girard Avenue. He attended Saint Malachy’s elementary school and was a graduate of Roman Catholic High School.

Edward was the only boy in his family. He had two older sisters – Frances and Theresa and two younger sisters – Claire (Nellie) and Hilda. Being the only boy, Edward was the apple of his Mother’s eye and could do no wrong.

As a child, he lived the free life of a “Little Rascal”, hopping trolly cars, riding his “Skate-a moe,” travelling around the city unaccompanied by an adult, sneaking into movies and earning money by running errands for his neighbors.

He was the master of every sport he played. In baseball, when his team was short a player, he covered both left and center field at the same time. In football, when he played for the Cherry Hill “Rags”, on defense, no running back could ever get around the end on his side of the field and on offense, when he caught a pass, no one could ever catch him.

As a young man, he was very interested in weightlifting and body building and trained at the same gym in Philadelphia as George Eiferman, who won the Mr. Philadelphia and Mr. America contests. He was also a big fan of Steve Reeves (Hercules), and John Grimek, both Mr. Americas. He was very proud of his accomplishments at the gym and would often tell us the weight and reps he performed in certain exercises, which, in fact, were very impressive for someone of his stature.

In 1953, he married Theresa Mary White to whom he was a devoted husband for 70 years, until her death in August of 2023. She was the love of his life. They moved to Fishtown, Philadelphia, set down roots and over the next twenty years produced five children of whom he was extremely proud - Edward John Charlton, James Christopher Charlton, Kathleen Helena MacFarlane, Michael Joseph Charlton, and Christopher David Charlton.

The door of Edward’s house on Susquehanna Avenue was always open and many of his relatives lived there for brief periods of time while they transitioned to other arrangements including all of his sisters and their husbands, and Jim and Kathleen MacFarlane. His Mother and Father also lived there for many years.

After a brief stint with the Philadelphia Blueprint Company, Ed was hired by the PTC, the Philadelphia Transportation Company, which was taken over by SEPTA, where he worked for most of his life. He drove trolleys, buses and eventually the Market Frankford Elevated trains (the EL).

Ed was an avid Eagles fan his whole life and was happy to finally see his Eagles win the Super Bowl in 2018 and 2025. He proudly wore his Steve Van Buren jersey while watching both Eagles Victories. There were many discussions with his children and grandchildren about who was the greatest Eagles running back of all time. For him there was no contest. Van Buren was the best and always will be the best. He did have a point – Van Buren played 8 seasons with the Eagles and led the NFL in rushing yards 4 of those 8 seasons!

Ed was also an avid fan of old movies, especially cowboy movies. He had a remarkable memory of old movies and could tell you the names of all of the actors in the movie he was watching and then could also tell you, other movies in which those same actors had appeared. He liked to imitate and emulated the extraordinary and cool characteristics of some of his movie heroes like Jimmy Cagney – “You dirty rat” and Humprey Bogart – “Here’s looking at you, kid”. He also would like to refer to himself as movie characters like Bomba the Jungle Boy, the Durango Kid, and the Gazelle Boy (he really was fast).

Edward was a devout Catholic who participated in many religious related activities and events. Ed and his wife, Theresa were early adoptees of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and were active members of the prayer group at St. Boniface’s Catholic Church in Kensington, Philadelphia. They were also actively involved in Christ Renews His parish at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Fishtown. Ed and Theresa were members of St. Theresa of Calcutta Parish, Saint John’s Church, in Collingswood, NJ and were frequent attendees at Sacred Heart Church in Camden, NJ.

Edward is survived by his five children listed above and their spouses; Sharon (Edward), Rosemary (James), James (Kathleen) and Jessica (Christopher); his 9 grandchildren and their spouses/significant others, Faith Charlton and Michael Schraeger; Ian Charlton and Mariel Mussack; Cristin and Andrew Introcaso; James Charlton, Jr. and Savannah Samuels; Colin MacFarlane and Esther Bliss; Dierdre and Solomon Dawson; Neil MacFarlane and Ali D’Amelio; and Luke Charlton; and his four great grandchildren, Roland Introcaso, Julian Charlton, Maeve MacFarlane, Hamish Dawson and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ed used to always say that he could adjust himself to any situation. And indeed he did throughout his lifetime. Hopefully he is now adjusting himself to his new surroundings, in heaven, with his wife and family. And if Theresa’s wish did come true, they can take the leash from John F. Kennedy and once again walk their dog, Boomer.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation at Blake-Doyle Funeral Home in Collingswood on Monday, April 14th from 7 to 9 PM; and a visitation on Tuesday, April 15th at 10 AM at St. John’s Parish in Collingswood, NJ, proceeded by a funeral mass at 11 AM. Interment to follow at Calvary cemetery.