Edward Bradford du Pont

Edward Bradford du Pont

AGE: 83 • Vero Beach, FL - Greenville, DE

Edward B. du Pont, age 83 of Vero Beach, FL and Greenville, DE, died on Sunday, April 30, 2017. A native of Wilmington, DE, he was the son of Henry B. du Pont and Margaret Lewis du Pont. He attended Tower Hill School and graduated from Pomfret School (CT) in 1952. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1956 and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University in 1959.

Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army, Edward worked eight years for E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc. In 1968, he joined Wilmington Trust Company and worked in the Trust Department for seventeen years before retiring as a Vice President in 1985.

Edward served on numerous boards of directors including Wilmington Trust Company, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., Christiana Care Health Services (formerly the Medical Center of Delaware), the University of Delaware, Pomfret School, Mystic Seaport (CT), and the Board of Managers for The Wilmington Public Library. In addition, he was a former President of the Board of Hagley Museum & Library, a trustee and Vice President of Longwood Foundation, Inc., Chairman of the Board of Welfare Foundation, Inc., and Chairman of the Board of Atlantic Aviation Corporation.

Edward was a member of the New York Yacht Club, Vicmead Hunt Club, Wilmington Country Club, Wilmington Club, The Yale Club of New York City, Wianno Club, The Moorings Yacht & Country Club, and Riomar Yacht Club.

An avid sailor, Edward completed several Newport to Bermuda races and loved to spend time aboard his boat, Cannoneer. He also loved watching automobile races and attended the Indianapolis 500 regularly. After disparaging golf for many years, Edward took up the sport after his retirement and enjoyed playing. Unfortunately, by his own admission he never became proficient.

Edward is predeceased by his first wife of 38 years, Ruth Vallett du Pont, his brother Henry B. du Pont III, and sister, Margaret "Peggy" Smith. He is survived by his second wife of 14 years, Elissa Stevens du Pont; his three children; E. Bradford du Pont, Jr., Alfred B. du Pont (Katherine), & Dr. Lynne du Pont Solacoff (David); eight grandchildren; Brent du Pont, Nina du Pont, Scott du Pont, Laine du Pont, Alexandra du Pont, Luke Solacoff, Caroline Solacoff, and Justin Solacoff; three step children; Jennifer Girvin (Ken), Marcy Kimball (Bill), Mark Stevens (Christina); and four step-grandchildren; Michaila Stevens, Morgan Stevens, Sarah Stevens, Aidan Stevens. He also leaves several nieces and nephews; including Henry B. du Pont IV (Roniece) who was like a third son and was with him at the time of his death.

There will be a memorial service at Christ Church Christiana Hundred at 11am on Saturday, May 13, 2017. A reception at Wilmington Country Club will follow immediately after the service. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hagley Museum and Library, PO Box 3630, Wilmington, DE 19807-0630 or Pomfret School, 398 Pomfret Street, PO Box 128, Pomfret, CT 06258-0128.

For online condolences

Please visit

Chandlerfuneralhome.com