Edward Joseph "Ed" Klaas

Edward Joseph Klaas – Ed to everyone who loved him – left this world on December 7, 2025, at the age of 72. Born in Newark, NJ, and raised in Irvington, Ed built a life defined by intelligence, humor, deep integrity, and an unwavering love for his family.

Ed lived in several places throughout his life, including Charlotte and Boston, but it was in Ambler, PA, where he spent most of his years raising his family and forming lifelong friendships. Some of his happiest memories were made during summers on Long Beach Island, surrounded by extended family, ocean breezes, and the laughter he so often inspired. In his later years, he moved to Jensen Beach, FL, where he lived until his passing.

He was the beloved son of Henry J. Klaas, Jr. and Catherine (Mullane) Klaas, both of whom preceded him in death, as did his brother, Henry J. Klaas, III. He is survived by his siblings Kathleen and her husband Donald, Maryann and her husband Steve, Thomas and his wife Lisa, John and his wife Jennifer, and his late brother Henry's wife, Mary Ellen Klaas, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins whose lives he brightened with his kindness and charm. Ed shared 41 years of marriage with Vicki Klaas. Though life's hardships eventually led them down separate paths, they remained a meaningful presence in each other's lives and connected in ways that only decades of shared life can create.

He was the deeply cherished father of Caitlin Elsenbeck and her husband Mike, and Kevin Klaas and his wife Catherine. Ed was immensely proud of his children – not quietly or subtly, but loudly and joyfully. He supported their dreams with unwavering devotion, encouraging Caitlin's pursuit of medicine and celebrating each milestone along the way. Her running career, from high school meets to competing as a Division I track athlete at Duke, brought him profound pride. He was one of her biggest fans: the parent who showed up, cheered the loudest, memorized her splits, and retold her most exciting races to anyone who would listen.

With Kevin, Ed shared a bond built through countless moments both big and small – fishing trips, long talks about sports, and hours watching Penn State wrestling. They attended the Masters together, shared a love of March Madness, and spent quieter evenings watching Jeopardy. They played table tennis, pinball, backgammon, and his beloved "Oh Darn" card game. Kevin considered him both his hero and mentor, and they often said to one another, "pals, buddies, and friends to the end."

To Ed, being a father was not simply a role but a passion, and he wore his love and devotion like a badge of honor. He had a remarkable gift for bringing joy and wonder to everyday life. Childhood with him was full of laughter, surprises, and magic- like the Christmas morning when a puppy waited under the tree, a gift chosen with love and a twinkle of mischief, along with unexpected adventures and holiday mornings that felt truly enchanted. His warmth, creativity, and spirited presence left an unforgettable mark, shaping a childhood filled with love and cherished memories.

To his grandchildren – Mikey, Brian, Lily, and Violet – he was magic itself: a source of jokes, delight, wonder, and unconditional love.

A gifted storyteller and the life of any gathering, Ed was known for his infectious personality, quick wit, jokes, riddles, and endless trivia. Children gravitated toward him for his magic tricks, which he performed with the same delight as when he first learned them. He had a rare ability to light up a room and make people feel seen and valued. His intelligence was unmistakable, but it was his warmth and genuine interest in others that made him unforgettable – and he always made sure you knew the capital of Kentucky.

A graduate of Essex Catholic High School (1971) with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers University (1975), Ed built a distinguished career spanning Moore Products Company, Siemens, and ultimately his role as a business owner and Vice President of Sales and Partner at Panacea Technologies, where he helped build a highly successful company. In every setting, he was known not only for his expertise but for the way he listened, connected, and brought people together. He had a gift for turning colleagues into friends. Many of these relationships became enduring and deeply meaningful, standing alongside his family as some of the most valued connections in his life.

Ed loved fishing, golf, tennis, and running; devoured books on history; and relished long board game nights, especially Settlers of Catan. He enjoyed traveling the world, including trips to Australia, Amsterdam, Italy, and France, and treasured cruises shared with family. One of his favorite memories was sharing a Guinness at Linnane's in Ireland. He successfully completed a marathon and famously never ate a fast-food hamburger in his life. Most of all, he loved being present for the people he cared about – showing up, cheering them on, and reminding them, always, how deeply he believed in them.

In 2012, Ed received a devastating diagnosis that would reshape the final chapter of his life: Parkinson's disease. It is a cruel and unforgiving illness, one that slowly dimmed the light of a man who had always glowed so brightly. Though he tried to shield others with humor and grace, he wrestled internally with the pain of losing pieces of himself. The changes brought on by Parkinson's were heartbreaking for those who knew his true self so well – a man full of vitality, quick wit, and presence. Yet even as the disease altered his path, love held steady. His family will remember him not for the illness that overtook him, but for the decades of laughter, generosity, stories, and joy he gave them.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed's memory to The Parkinson's Foundation.

A memorial service celebrating Ed's life will be held on March 20, 2026, at 10:30am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ 08008. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Cedar Run.

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