Edward W. Tonkin

Edward W. Tonkin

Edward W. Tonkin, 93, of Charlottesville, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 10, 2010, at Charlottesville Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in New York City November 19, 1916, to the late Edward William and Charity Saunders Tonkin.

Mr. Tonkin graduated from Stuyvesant High School and attended Pratt Institute in New York City. He worked in drafting and sales for Standard Switchboard Company in New York before becoming a managing partner in the firm. In the 1970's and 1980's, he and his second wife owned and operated a ceramic studio and distribution business in Scarsdale, New York, before retiring and moving to Stratford, Connecticut. The couple relocated to Our Lady of Peace Retirement Community in Charlottesville in 1998. Ed and Hazel Tonkin were married for 59 years before her death in 2007. They traveled widely and enjoyed seeing new sites and visiting friends and family. They were known to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren as Nunu and Meme. Mr. Tonkin spent many happy hours cooking and gardening. He shared his scotch shortbread and ginger cookies with everyone he met.

Mr. Tonkin leaves a son, Edward Hobart Tonkin and his wife, Deborah, of Erie Pennsylvania; two daughters, Barbara W. Moorhead and her husband, John, of Huntington, West Virginia and Charity T. Haines and her husband, Richard, of Charlottesville; five grandchildren, Edward Henry of Denver, Colorado, Virginia K. and Collier W. Tonkin of Erie, Pennsylvania, Kenneth E. Gorrell and his wife, Holli, of Northfield, New Hampshire and Shannon E. Reid and her husband, Thomas of Epsom, New Hampshire. He also is survived by two great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, Stefanie Haines of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Andrew Haines and his wife, Kristina, of Berwyn, Pennsylvania; and two step-great-grandchildren. His first wife, Ruby, predeceased him in 1945.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 13, 2010, from 11 until 12 p.m. at Teague Funeral Home on Ivy Road, followed by a service of remembrance conducted by the Reverend Dr. Don Moore. Burial will be at a later date at Kensico Gardens, Westchester County, New York.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the staff at Rosewood Village, Hollymead and Charlottesville Health and Rehabilitation Center for their tender attention and care. The family also wishes to thank the Family Practice Clinic and the Chaplaincy Program at the University of Virginia Health System. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 207 Ridge Street, Charlottesville or the Chaplaincy Program at the University of Virginia Health Sciences System.

Family and friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.