In Memoriam: Longtime Sea Bright Resident, Ed Wheeler, 87

Longtime Sea Bright resident, Ed Wheeler, passed away on July 18. He was 87.

“In 1981, Ed and (his wife) Peggy bought a bungalow at 908 Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright. From the beginning, they said, ‘We’re going to tear it down and build our dream house at the shore, live there year-round, and always feel like we’re on vacation!’ Their dream finally became reality in 1999 after 18 months of hard work, and they finished the new home. Although nearly destroyed during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, that house and their boat, Sea Wheels, were central to the lives of many family members and friends …

“Drawing on his broad background in carpentry and construction, in 1999, Ed began working as a construction official at the Building Construction office in Edison, eventually rising to become the department head. He retired from his township job in 2009, but continued his career into his 80s as the head of the Sea Bright building inspection office. It’s no exaggeration to say that Ed Wheeler was widely regarded as the #1 top expert on construction among the movers and shakers in Edison and Sea Bright.”
Loved ones of Ed Wheeler in his obituary

Born in Long Branch, Ed spent his childhood and teenage years in a second-floor apartment at 661 South 19th Street in Newark. He attended Irvington Tech, located in the Vailsburg section of Newark. During his teen years, he enjoyed his cars (Olds 88) and hanging out with Jackie, Gary, Artie, George, and Richie. He liked Jerry Lee Lewis, but was not an Elvis fan.

In 1956, he walked into the kitchen at 661 and told his Mom and Dad that he was enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Soon after, he went to boot camp in Parris Island, flew to San Diego for more training, and was sent to Okinawa. While in Japan, he climbed Mount Fuji, the country’s highest mountain. Ed was honorably discharged from Active Duty in 1958 and spent four additional years in the Marine Corps Reserve. Throughout his life, he upheld the Marine values of honor, courage, and commitment.

After returning to civilian life, Ed joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, working on many large construction projects across New York City. Eventually, he started his own business, Wheeler Construction Company, which focused on roofing, siding, and additions. Over the years, many family members and friends worked at Wheeler Construction, often finishing their workdays at the Linwood Grove or Crowley’s! After work, Ed would grab his baseball gear and coach in the Midtown Little League in Edison.

A viewing was held at Posten-McGinley Funeral Home, 59 E. Lincoln Ave., Atlantic Highlands, NJ, 07716, on Wednesday, July 23. A brief service took place on Thursday, July 24, at the funeral home, with burial following at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 100 Chapel Hill Rd., Red Bank, NJ 07701. Friends and family are invited to join in remembering Ed. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to Hackensack Meridian Health Hope Tower, 19 Davis Ave, Neptune City, NJ 07753, in Edward Wheeler’s memory.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Posten-McGinley Funeral Home