Edward Sealander

On July 15, 2015, Edward C. Sealander, age 89, went home to be with the Lord. A loving and caring father and husband, he was predeceased by his wife Mary Sealander in 2014. He is survived by son Gregory E. Sealander, daughter Julie Sealander Higgs, daughter-in-law Cindy Sealander, son-in-law Arthur Higgs, grandchildren Ethan, Elizabeth, Jordan and Christian, sister Betty Gerhard and many nieces and nephews.



Ed's humor and joyful spirit brought smiles to everyone he met. He had an inquiring and analytical mind and enjoyed discussing politics and philosophy with his family and friends.



Ed was born in 1926 in Escanaba, Michigan to Christ Sealander (originally Sjölander, of Sweden) and Nettie Marie Sealander (Erickson). His brothers were Marvin and George Sealander and sisters Betty Gerhard and Alice Norman. Ed was drafted in the army immediately after high school and served in the mechanized cavalry unit during World War II: the Third Army, Second Cavalry regiment, the 42nd squadron, which was stationed near the Siegfried Line. He served in Czechoslovakia and Germany and helped rescue the Lipizzaner stallions.



After the Army, Ed graduated from Michigan State University in 1950 and furthered his education with master's classes at the University of Pennsylvania Warton Business School. Ed worked for Standard Accident Insurance Company as an internal auditor then moved to Philadelphia to work for the budget and expense control department of Reliance Insurance Company.



Ed married Mary (Gates) in 1963 and the couple lived for five years in Drexel Hill then in Havertown for 45 years. While his two children were young, Ed was a leader in the Boy Scouts and Indian Guides. He was board chairman for the Rainbow Girls and received the Grand Cross of Color award for service. He also managed a Little League baseball team in West Gate Hills for six years.



Ed retired from Reliance in 1984 then worked as a systems analyst for the Bureau of the Public Dept, United States Treasury Department, in Washington, D.C., writing accounting policies and reconciling accounts with the Federal Reserve Banks. He retired in 1991 and spent time with his family, helping to raise his grandson Ethan. He and his wife Mary travelled around the country, often with the Grottos of North America.



Ed was active in the Masons throughout his life. He was a member of the Four Square Masonic Lodge in Michigan and later the Community Lodge in Broomall. Ed was Monarch, Chaplin and Treasurer of Delco Grotto. He served as President of the Pennsylvania Grotto Association, Secretary of the Delco High-Twelve, President of Delaware County Scottish Rite Club and Finance Officer for Legion of Honor at LuLu Shriners. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Philadelphia Consistory, the Temple Meleta Royal Arch Chapter, Masonic Veterans Order of Amaranth #44, Delaware County Shrine Club and LuLu Temple.



Ed was a master duplicate bridge player, played golf and bowled. He was active in Trinity Lutheran Church in Havertown where he taught Sunday school, served on the Church Council and ushered. Ed was a member of the Philadelphia World Affairs Council, served as a Republican Committeeman for many years, and ran for the school board on the V.O.T.E. ticket in 1984.



His joyful spirit and loving heart will be missed by all who knew him.



Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation Saturday, July 25, 2015 9:45-10:45 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1141 West Chester Pike, Havertown, PA and to his Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at Trinity. A Masonic Service will be held at 10:45 AM prior to the Funeral Service. Interment Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA.

Visitation

Saturday, July 25, 2015 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Trinity Lutheran Church
1141 West Chester Pike

Havertown

PA 19083

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