Edward A. Jenkins

Edward A Jenkins, 80, of Robinson Township passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024, surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of 37 years to Irene Jenkins, and a loving father to his daughters, Dorene and Dawn Campbell, Kelly, and his son, Edward Jr; grandfather of the late Zachary Fries; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Ed and Irene married in 1987 and shared an unwavering love and an unbreakable bond of friendship that they both cherished. Ed attended St. Peter Catholic School and was a graduate of Allegheny High School in Pittsburgh’s northside. After completing high school, he enlisted and served in the United States Navy. He served as a Boatswain Mate and was assigned to the small boat division where he was trained to pilot an Assault Support Patrol Boat (ASPB). When he was deployed to Vietnam, he was assigned to pilot an ASPB (coxswain) carrying forces to patrol the rivers of the Mekong River Delta. Ed suffered serious injuries when their ASPB was ambushed from the shoreline. He was awarded the Purple Heart and was medically discharged after spending nearly one year recovering in the Navy Medical Center in Virginia. Following his discharge, Ed turned to the fire service and believed that “the fire service saved his life” following his tour in Vietnam. He first joined the Montogomery County MD Fire Department and volunteered at the Takoma Park Fire Station. This was the beginning of his lifelong passion for the fire service that would eventually span 50 years. Over his career, he volunteered with the departments of the North Boroughs, West View Borough, and Ross’ Quail VFD. His lifelong commitment to serving concluded when he retired as the Safety Officer with the Stowe Township Volunteer Fire Department where he is a Life Member. Ed’s love of the Pittsburgh Steelers started with his family being rooted in the northside. His proud Irish family were early neighborhood friends with the Rooney family, and it was this relationship that led to his becoming the Assistant Equipment Manager for the Steelers. He traveled with the Steelers for two seasons and according to him, it “was an experience of a lifetime for any young man.”  He spent the next 30 years working for United Parcel Service where he retired as a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 249. Additionally, Ed was passionate about studying the Civil War after learning of his great-great-grandfather’s involvement in the battles. Ed and Irene spent time traveling throughout the battlegrounds of the Civil War and attended the reenactments in Maryland and Virginia. He spent decades acquiring his library of reads that include every battle of the Civil War and many others covering his love of the American Fire Service. Relatives and friends received Friday, February 2, 2024, from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, 334 Forest Grove Road, Coraopolis (Kennedy Township) PA 15108. Funeral prayer Saturday, February 3, 2024, 9:15 AM at the funeral home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in Archangel Gabriel Parish, St. Malachy Church, 343 Forest Grove Road, Kennedy Township. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to your community’s local volunteer fire department.