Edward "Ed" Planeta

Mystic - Edward "Ed" Planeta, 87, longtime resident of Uncasville, and Venice, Fla, passed away Saturday evening, Dec. 9, 2023, surrounded by his family at Fairview in Groton. Born in Rahway, N.J., he was the son of the late Rudolph and Mary (Gondar) Planeta.

He attended LaSalle Military Academy on Long Island and was a graduate of Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. Ed began his career with Associated Spring in Bristol and Artistic Wire Products in Taftville. Following his employment from Artistic Wire, he founded Acme Wire Products in 1970 in Norwich, eventually relocating the business to Mystic in 1979. Ed headed Acme Wire Products up until his retirement in 2000.

Ed relocated to the gulf coast of Florida in 1990, where he enjoyed fishing, boating, extensive worldwide travel, as well as volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the FISH organization of Northport, Fla. When Ed was not on the water, he loved singing in the church choir, with the barbershop quartet and mastering regional and international dialects, being a mentor to many. He was an active parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Church in Uncasville, and St Raphael Church in Englewood, Fla.

He is survived by his seven children: Mary Fitzgerald (Thomas), Dorothy Fidrych (Paul), Jennifer Hunter (Richard), Edward Planeta Jr., Michael Planeta (Dana), Julia Salizzoni (John) and Catherine Campbell (Mark); his sister Mary Ann Leckowicz; and eighteen grandchildren. Ed was blessed with long and joyful marriages to two beautiful women who predeceased him, Dorothy Murphy Planeta and Audrey Dougherty Planeta. Ed's second marriage to Audrey also includes his extended family of five stepchildren, including eight more grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. He was also predeceased by his two brothers, Rudolph Planeta Jr. and Thomas Planeta.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at St. Patrick Church, 32 East Main Street, Mystic. Following his Mass, he will be buried at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association (act.alz.org) or Fairview Odd Fellows Home, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton, CT. 06340.