Edward William Waschak, age 83, passed away in his home surrounded by family in Denver, NC on February 12, 2020. Ed was born in Youngstown, Ohio on September 10, 1936, the youngest of 8 children born to the late Joseph and Mary Waschak.
Ed later moved to California where he graduated from high school and became a successful business owner. Ed, with his brothers. created a company that overhauled landing gear for commercial aircraft. He lived in California until his retirement years when he moved to North Carolina.
Ed proudly served our country as a member of the United States Army, 7th Army Transport Corps from 1959-1965, sharing many fond stories of his time spent in Europe.
Ed had a passion for flying. He piloted many flights around the country in his beloved Cessna 182. He purchased a Ford Mustang in 1966 that he drove all the years of his life.
Ed enjoyed living on beautiful Lake Norman. The lake brought him peace and contentment as he boated and enjoyed watching his grandkids on the lake.
Ed was known for his easy-going nature. He was a man of integrity, both loyal and giving, never expecting anything in return.
Besides his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his older siblings; Mary Waschak, Helen Schied, Joseph Waschak, Catherine Robinson, Dorothy Geidner, John Waschak and Robert Waschak.
Ed is survived by his loving wife Cathy Noyes; stepdaughters Erica Noyes Gilreath (James son in-law) and Dana Noyes; his grandchildren Hailey Gilreath and Chase Gilreath; sister in-laws Virginia Woods and Sarah Snapp as well as the entire Waschak Family.
A Catholic Prayer Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 17, 2020 at The Good Samaritan Funeral Home 3362 (Business) North Highway 16, Denver, North Carolina 28037. The celebrant will be Rev. Carmen V. Malacari, Pastor of Holy Spirit R.C. Church Denver, North Carolina.
Flowers may be sent to Good Samaritan Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Edward William Waschak.
One of the nicest guys ever want to meet. I’ve known him since he was just a little kid living on Braden Street
Edgar and I loved and had the upmost respect for Ed. He was a friend and teacher to the individuals that were fortunate enough to know him. He was blessed to marry and have a family to support him as were they. I send blessings to you and healing memories to you sweet Cathy and all of Ed’s family that truly understand his heart and soul.
Love and condolences to the family and friends of Mr Ed Waschak!
Bonnie Ferrera-Grand
The first time I recall seeing my Uncle Ed was in California 1958 I was eight years old. He took me and my brothers to the beach in Santa Monica to swim in the ocean. It was a trip he regretted for the next week, as the deceiving overcast sky gave him a lobster red sunburn.
The next time I was in Ohio the winter of 1965. He had just finished his four years in the Army and came home to see his adopted mother, and father my mother, and father his brother who took care of him after his mother and father had passed away in 1945. He showed up one morning in his dress green army uniform and was really impressive to me at that time I was only fifteen.
He soon left to join his other two brothers John, and Robert Waschak who had a startup business in Burbank called Sunvair. He needed to finish his high school education and went to work for his brothers part time. The business grew and with it his career in Aircraft did also.
At first living in a small apartment in Burbank, with a banana tree out by his balcony. He bought his first car a 1966 mustang he drove it for the rest of his life. The car had a engine rebuilt and the interior re furbished after some 200,000 to 300,000 miles. I stayed at his Burbank apartment when I myself was in the service. He said he would never leave it as long as he could get bananas from that tree. The city had the banana tree removed, and so he left that apartment for another in Saugus.
He became an inspector as the Sunvair business expanded. The business bought the gas station next door and put in the last permitted plating shop in Burbank. With this they could control the turnaround time on their growing landing gear overhaul business.
In 1971 I returned to see my Uncle in Saugus. He had a nice three bedroom condo I slept over and toured the new shop now moved to Canoga Park, and treated myself to Disneyland.
I returned home after my stay in the military. Uncle Ed Flew his plane back to Ohio with John and Melba Waschak on a business trip to Washington. He offered to take all the family members up in his Cessna. Ed spent an entire day treating all family members that could make it to the local airport in Pennsylvania to a ride in his plane. His brother Joe and sisters Kay, and Dorothy, all family members got a chance to fly in his plane that day.
In 1983 I moved to California and went to work at the family run repair and overhaul shop. Just in time for their Sunvair to move to Saugus. Ed was now the head of inspection. He helped me with the repair manuals and the always stressed Quality work that Sunvair prided its self on. ED was the final say on most of the assemblies and production parts they produced. He still had that 1966 Mustang he drove every day.
Ed retired from Sunvair sometime after his brother John died and his other brother Robert retired. He moved to North Carolina to be close to Cathy. Cathy had a family of her own and her husband had passed away. She too had also worked at Sunvair as a secretary, and their friendship together had later developed into a relationship. They married in 2012 and reaffirmed their vows in the Catholic religion recently at Ed’s request.
I had planned to visit him in North Carolina, but that trip fell through due to unforeseen circumstances. He was the baby of his generation and I the middle child of mine. I will Miss my uncle Ed as our ages were only 14 years apart.
Ed was a caring and sweet man. He loved Cathy and she loved him very much. Ed always was laughing and had a great heart. He will be missed!!
Ed was an incredible man and one that will live in our hearts forever. He worked side by side with my husband, his nephew, for 30 years and taught him everything he knew, including how to be a good man with a loving heart. I will always be grateful to Ed for being a second father to Mike and for his kindness and dedication to doing the right thing.
Rest in Peace Uncle Ed, Mike and I miss you terribly.
Ed was an amazing grandpa to me and my brother. He always knew how to make us smile and laugh! We cherished every moment spent with you Papa Ed, and one day we will meet again❤️