EDWARD HOCHULI

Edward S. Hochuli, 91
Merchant Marine/Navy veteran, world traveler
Edward S. Hochuli, 91, passed away on May 7, 2016, after a long illness.
Edward was born March 15, 1925, in Richmond Hill, N.Y., and graduated from John Adams High School in 1943.
He circumnavigated the globe as junior third assistant engineer in the Merchant Marines, serving on the SS Charles Goodnight. This sparked his lifelong interest in other cultures and world travel. Edward graduated from Merchant Marines King's Point Academy in 1946 with a B.S. degree and from Buffalo State Teachers College in 1950 with a B.A. in industrial arts.
He married Evelyn Virginia Caldeira on June 24, 1950. Evelyn passed away on Oct. 5, 2002. He married Eleanor Levy on Sept. 24, 2006.
Edward volunteered for the Navy during the Korean War, serving as assistant engineer on the USS Merapi. He was discharged as a full lieutenant.
For 27 years, he worked as plant engineer, then senior engineer at Nassau Smelting and Refining Co.
Edward led an adventurous, active life; pursued many avocations, including snorkeling, scuba and swimming. He swam competitively as a teen, as a young adult and as a senior citizen. He swam in the Senior Olympics locally, nationally in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and at the World Senior Olympics in Utah in 2003. He belonged to a local scuba club and explored the seacoast of the New York/New Jersey area as well as exotic locales. He traveled to almost every part of the world.
His wife and he were avid square dancers; organized local dances, "raids," and traveled with other dancers as far as China.
Edward's oil paintings were exhibited in group shows on Staten Island. He enjoyed stamp collecting and served as president of the Staten Island Philatelic Society. He also collected traditional art from around the world. He did volunteer work for St. Andrew Episcopal Church, the NYC Parks Department, the Telephone Pioneers and for Hispanic immigrants.
By example, Edward encouraged others to be physically active, creative, educated, to engage in lifelong learning, do volunteer work, be part of a spiritual community and appreciate all peoples.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Hochuli; his sister, June Ludemann; his daughters, Erica Miller, Elaine Valdez and Janet Reed; stepchildren, Janelle Sandford and Stephen Levy; eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thank you goes to Sonia, Roxana, Elisabeta, Roman, Ida and Luz for their friendship and loving care in Edward's final years.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, July 9 at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Andrew, 40 Old Mill Rd., Staten Island, N.Y. 10306, followed by a reception at the church's Burch Hall.
If you wish to donate in Edward's memory, contributions can be sent to The Church of St. Andrew or the charity of your choice.