Edward Joseph Tracy

(Asbury Park Press)

EDWARD JOSEPH TRACY
AGE: 69 JACKSON
Edward Joseph Tracy, 69, of Jackson, NJ, entered into rest peacefully on Saturday, March 6, 2010, after a long courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Born February 26, 1941, and raised in The Bronx, NY, Ed resided in Howell before moving to Jackson in 1975. He was a parishioner of St. Aloysius Church, Jackson. Ed was a NJ Motor Vehicle Officer before becoming a founding member of the Howell Township Police Department in 1971. He served as a sergeant as well as department liaison to the Office of Emergency Management and Community Services Officer before retiring in 1988. He had an entrepreneurial spirit, pioneering various successful businesses. Ed enjoyed immersing himself in his numerous interests, including cooking, traveling, tennis, cycling, Monday-night poker, walking, sailing, pinochle, but mostly, spending time with family and friends. The eternal optimist, Ed always lived by the philosophy that whatever comes your way 'life is good.'
Ed was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Loretta McCartney Tracy; his brothers, Mickey and Johnny and his sister Irene. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Cheryl Fracalossy Tracy; three loving daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Robert Giusti of Jackson, Monica and Peter Lowe of Freehold, and Paula and Robert Mika of Toms River; four adoring grandsons, Matthew and Brian Lowe and Robert and Joseph Giusti; siblings, Thomas Tracy, James and Janis Tracy, Loretta Walsh, Agnes and Sam D'Agostino, Margaret and Erich Schulze, and Mary Orr; in-laws, Michele and Dennis Stryker, Melanie and Mark Wedewer, and Raymond and Christiane Fracalossy; countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and his beloved caregiver, Maritza Brutko, all of whom had their own special place in his heart. He was blessed to have more true friends than anyone could ever hope for. Ed was one of the original members of the Joan Dancy and PALS (People with ALS) support group, whose support has carried us through this very difficult time.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Visitation on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, from 3-9 PM at The George S. Hassler Funeral Home, 980 Bennetts Mills Rd., Jackson Twp., NJ, 732-364-6808. His Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at a time to be announced at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Rd., Jackson, NJ. Interment to follow in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold-Englishtown Rd., Freehold, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edward's memory to Joan Dancy & PALS, c/o Riverview Medical Center, 1 Riverview Plaza, Red Bank, NJ 07701. For further information and directions, please visit www.hasslerfuneralhome.com.