Edward J. Wilczynski

Mr. Edward Joseph Wilczynski passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026 at the age of 85 years young. Born in Jersey City in 1940, Ed was the only son of Stanley and Estelle Wilczynski. He attended St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City and was a proud member of the Class of 1958. Known affectionately as “Willy” to his classmates, he still attended the annual Prep reunion at Bar A in Belmar. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from NCE (Newark College of Engineering) which is known today as NJIT. He also received his master’s degree in business from Seton Hall University.

Ed was very active in Polish American affairs his entire life. He was the Associate Editor of the Post Eagle in Clifton and authored a weekly column “Our Polonia” for many decades. He loved writing about Polish and Polish American history, literature, philosophy and traditions. In 1975, he was an Aide to the Grand Marshal at the Annual Pulaski Day Parade in New York City and in 2000 was named Man of the Year of the Polish University Club. He was also a member of St. Pio Holy Name Society in Lavallette and a member of The Knights of Columbus.

Ed spent over 30 years working for the Port Authority of NY & NJ where he held many management positions, retiring in 1995. His experience in the rail industry led him to purchase a freight railroad in the early 80’s with two other partners. He was Vice President of the Morristown & Erie Railway based in Morristown for almost 20 years until 1999.

Ed met his wife Gloria at a Polka Dance and they enjoyed polka dancing through life for many years. They raised their two children, Michele and Nikki in Clifton. They spent their summers at their beach home in Monterey Beach, moving there permanently in 2007. In the early 1990’s Ed and Gloria purchased a condo at the Estero Beach and Tennis Club in Fort Myers Beach so they could enjoy their own piece of Florida sunshine.

He loved writing poetry and photography but was probably known most for his love of Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Buffet, and he was a #1 fan of the NY Yankees and the NY Giants.

He is survived by his wife Gloria (nee Tyburczy) of 58 years, daughters Nikki Wilczynski and Michele Babicz, son in law Richard Babicz and grandsons Adam and Sam Babicz all of whom he adored.

For those that knew Ed, he was proud to be Polish and forever a Parrothead. He was happiest basking in the sunshine, listening to Jimmy Buffet and enjoying a Landshark Lager at his backyard tiki bar which was built by the Monterey Beach lifeguards.

“If there is a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached.” – Jimmy Buffet

Family will receive friends on Thursday June 25, 2026 from 2-4pm for a Memorial Gathering at Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals 145 St. Catherine Blvd. Toms River, NJ. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday June 26, 2026 at 10am at. St. Pio of Pietrelcina RC Church in Lavallette, NJ. Condolences may be made by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com

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