Obituary of Edward P. Denmead

Ed Denmead, a man of many wonderful talents, was born in Dover, N.J on May 10, 1935 to Caroline (Decker)and John Denmead. He grew up in Netcong, the town he loved with all his heart. He always believed every child should have the chance to grow up in such a magical place. Ed attended Netcong Grammar School and Netcong High School where he was a star football player, President of his Class and Prom King. He graduated from the University of Richmond, Virginia where he attended on a full football scholarship. To this day he still maintains friendships with fellow team mates and roommates. In 1963 Ed married Maria Carelli of Ledgewood, N.J. They had five children and made their home in Byram, where they have lived for 56 years. Ed was a teacher for 33 years. He started his career at Stanhope Elementary School, then went on to teach at Netcong Elementary School, then Netcong H.S. and finally at Lenape Valley H.S. He always got a kick out of the fact that one 5th grade class he taught, he continued to teach those same kids through their high school years as he himself moved up the ranks. He was also the director of the school theatre productions in Netcong. Ed was a wrestling coach and a football coach at Netcong H.S. and when Lenape Valley opened he was a beloved football coach there for 19 years and inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the winning 1974 Football Team. He was a phenomenal History/Social Studies teacher all his years at Lenape Valley and was named Teacher of the Year in 1994. When he decided not to coach any longer, Ed found a new love designing the"sets" for the school plays and musicals. People would always remark that they were as beautiful as if on Broadway. His eye for detail was amazing. He designed the sets for 27 productions. Ed had an amazing singing voice. He and Maria were well known in the area for their beautiful duets in many local shows. He also directed shows for the Netcong Fire Department and the Dover Elks Club. Ed was an avid fisherman and looked forward to the Summers when he traveled with his wonderful fishing buddies and their wives to many National Parks to fish. Their favorite was Yellowstone National Park where they visited twelve times. Ed loved to travel. His favorite trip of all time was when he and Maria took their five young children cross - country with a pop up camper for 28 days in 1977. Once Ed retired there were many trips and river cruises all over Europe. Also in retirement Ed became a meticulous woodworker and craftsman. His home is filled with beautiful furniture he designed himself. He made beds, tables, bookshelves, a highboy, rocking chairs and desks for his children's homes. He delighted in the fact that some pieces were made of oak from trees cut down and milled from his backyard. Ed's favorite social activity was gatherings with family and friends. For almost 40 years he and Maria have met with friends they lovingly called their "Friday Night Gang" including three or four couples for dinner and a movie or just being together at each other's homes. It is the greatest tradition. Watching his 11 grandchildren was the highlight of his life. He was so thrilled at the fact that every one of them can sing and perform and seeing them on stage was a joy beyond belief. His enduring pride was the life he and Maria created for their family. Ed was a member of Dover Elks #782. In 1986 at the Grand Lodge Ritual Contest in Denver, Colorado, Ed was awarded the title of All American Leading Knight. From 1986-1987 he was the Exalted Ruler of the Lodge. Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Caroline and John Denmead, his five brothers, Jack, Donald, Jim, Bruce and Harry Denmead. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Maria, who he adored, his children Sally and her husband Jonah Mary and her husband Mike, Edward and his wife Wendy, Dawn and her husband Rob and Jennifer Denmead and her husband Curtis, his eleven grandchildren, Brian, Morgan, Gavin, Hayden, Robbie, Sadie, Brodie, Sam, Nina, Caroline and Jake. Ed's Life Celebration will include visiting on Monday February 22, 2021 from 3:00-7:00 PM at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday February 23, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Good Shepherd RC Church, 48 Tranquility Road, Andover, NJ 07821. Ed will be laid to rest at Stanhope Union Cemetery in Mt. Olive Township. For memorial donations and Masses, please consider Good Shepherd RC Church, 48 Tranquility Road, Andover, NJ 07821