Edward J. Dixon Jr.

A Jersey boy, he was born May 11, 1945 in Tenafly and earned his BA and MA from William Paterson University in the late 60's. He married his college sweetheart, Charlene, in 1970 and were together 55+ years when he passed.

Ed was very fortunate to have a career that he truly loved; teaching Social Studies for 33 years at George Washington Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He was recognized as an outstanding educator with a special ability to relate and motivate his students. His relationship with many of them continued for years after they graduated and the Ridgewood community always held a special place in his heart.

Ed's other passion in life was Antiques. He was a well known avid collector of nautical, stoneware, decoys and country. All his life he loved scouring antiques shows and flea markets from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to all of New England searching for antiquities. Even after he retired in 2004 and moved to Cape Cod he continued to collect and involve himself in history. He was an active member of the Cape Cod Antiques Dealers Association and involved for a long time in helping to organize the annual Orleans Antiques show.

His love of history extended to other areas. Together with his wife, they moved to West Nyack, New York and spent years restoring their 1734 Parsonage house. Using their home as the model, they began a movement to have historical markers placed on houses, churches and landmarks along the historical Strawtown Road area of West Nyack. This effort resulted in helping preserve the early history of Rockland County.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene; sons, Sean of Eastham, Ma, Douglas and wife, Jaime of Denville, N.J; 6 grandchildren, Connor, Kieran, Caitlyn, Emma., Olivia and Amelia ; and his sister, Jane Schmidt of Highland Lakes, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Wildcare in Eastham, Ma. or the Animal Rescue League Brewster, Ma. A Celebration of Life may be held in the Spring.