EDWARD HART TOBEY

EDWARD HART TOBEY of Vero Beach died Friday, March 7, 2014 at the VNA Hospice House. A resident of Vero since 1993, Ed will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. Ed was born August 4, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey and graduated from the New York State Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. When World War II began, Ed volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy and served in a variety of capacities, rising to the rank of Lieutenant and assuming the command of the Adroit Class Minesweeper, USS Dash (AM- 88). Under Ed's command, the USS Dash voyaged to Auckland, New Zealand and provided escort and patrol duty in the Pacific Forward Area, including the Solomons, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia. At the war's end, Ed returned to New Jersey and resumed a successful career in the candy industry. He worked for several prominent companies before joining Mars Incorporated. At Mars, Ed worked in management positions and traveled the globe on behalf of the corporation. After retirement, Ed and his wife, Phyllis, moved to Mariner Sands, Stuart, Florida. Following Phyllis's death, Ed met and married Esther ("Pidge") Stroud Paxton. Ed and Esther resided in Old Riomar, enjoying their friends in Vero and traveling the world to such far off places as Turkey, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and many other destinations. An avid golfer all of his life, Ed was a member of Lake Mohawk CC in Sparta NJ, Ekwanok Golf Club in Manchester VT, Mariner Sand CC in Stuart, FL, Vero Beach Golf Club and Vero Beach Yacht Club. He was a proud member of the hole in one club. Ed is survived by his wife of 20 years, Esther Paxton Tobey, his daughter Susan Bender (Ewald), of Stuart, sons James of Stroudsburg, PA, David (Lisa) of Lansdale, PA, son-in-law Michael Eden of Bourne, MA, and step- children William Lange, Jr. of San Diego, CA and Carolyn Lange of Vero Beach. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Phyllis, and by his daughter, Jane Eden of Bourne, MA. A beloved Grandfather and Great Grandfather, he will be missed by his grandchildren Jeffrey Eden (Janet), Kristen Skoglund (Mark), Gregory Eden (Katherine), Megan Williams (Todd), Katharine Renyi (Chris), Carolyn Chiantera (John), Zachary Tobey (Allyssa), Luke Tobey, and step- grandchildren Lange Sykes, William Lange III and by his 14 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to VNA Hospice House 1110 35th Lane Vero Beach, FL 32960. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2014 11:00 AM at The Community Church of Vero Beach.