Edward Emil Pfannkoch, 86, of Manchester NH, formerly of Piscataway, NJ passed away peacefully on May 10, 2015 surrounded by family at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH. He was born in Jersey City, NJ on February 11, 1929, son of William and Margaret Pfannkoch.
He grew up in New Market (now Piscataway) and began working at the age of 16 at Art Color in Dunellen until joining the US Army 7th Infantry Machinists Corp 707 Ordnance Maintenance Company at age 21 during the Korean War, spending 9 months in Korea. After returning from Korea he resumed working as a printer at Art Color where he worked for 21 years until it closed. He worked at several small printing shops until joining AT&T where he ran their in-house printing shop. When printing was outsourced he moved to the CAD Department- Space Planning, learned computer aided drawing, and laid out much of AT&T's New Jersey office space during his 17 year career. After retirement, his computer experience allowed him to develop many friendships through “over 50” chat rooms.
Shortly after returning from Korea he met “Garwood’s Doll” Dolores Jankowski at a dance, and their future together was set. Ed and Dee were married October 13, 1956 in the Plainfield Presbyterian Church, and two years later bought a home in New Market where they raised their three children- Edward, Thomas and Karyn. Their home was full of love and was often the center of activity for the neighborhood children, family and friends. They shared over 37 years of marriage until Dee’s death in 1993.
Ed was a devoted father and husband, spending countless hours coaching his sons throughout Little League baseball, sharing his love for the Yankees. He loved to fish, garden, dabble in home photography, and woodworking, making a kid-size kitchen set for his daughter for Christmas. His sense of humor and puns made many laugh over the years. He was blessed with six grandchildren whom he loved dearly. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Dunellen, and attended Manchester Christian Church in New Hampshire after moving there in 2006. He was also a Mason, joining the Jerusalem Lodge #26 F.& A.M. in 1958.
Ed was predeceased by his wife Dolores, his brothers William and Robert, and sisters Ruth, Doris and Shirley. He leaves behind his loving children and their families: Edward and Cynthia of Sykesville, MD; Thomas and Anne of Chester, NH and their children Laurie Beth Pliakos and husband Nick, Tommy, David and Julie; and Karyn Nufrio of Monroe, NJ and her children Ryan and Justin.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 16 at 11am at Mundy Funeral Home, 142 Dunellen Ave., Dunellen, NJ. Interment was at Lake Nelson Memorial Park in Piscataway. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.