Edward J. McGurk

On September 19, 2021, angels came and lifted Ed to heaven. He was born in New York, NY on February 10, 1938. He grew up in Mineola, NY, the middle child of Irish immigrants. Ed joined the US Navy right out of high school in 1955 and remained until 1959. He then attended Hofstra University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Management. While going to school he tended bar for his father at McGurk’s Tavern in Mineola. After college he owned several businesses with his brother Arthur McGurk. During this time he met and married the love of his life, Celia. He landed a job with Ma Bell and later AT&T. Ed and Celia raised their three children in Morganville NJ, where they lived for 18 years. They moved to Brevard county in 1988. A few years later Ed retired from AT&T and became the co-owner of Niki’s Restaurant in Suntree, FL with his friend Floyd Bradley, for over 5 years.

Ed did not take retirement easy. He became a volunteer fireman in Indian Harbor Beach for several years and volunteered as a manager at The Daily Bread in Melbourne. He was also an avid golfer, golfing with is buddies every Monday, as well has hitting a bucket of balls every Saturday. Ed enjoyed reading, mostly mystery and suspense, and frequented the local library to get his books.

He was a man devoted to his family. His greatest joy was spending time with his seven grandchildren and was also fortunate to enjoy time with three great grandchildren. Ed took pride in his family and was sure to tell each one that he loved them each time he saw them. When he made friends it was for life, he still kept in touch with high school and college friends. Ed had a strong faith. He was always an active parishioner, serving as an usher for many years at Holy Name of Jesus. He was also a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Mary McGurk, as well as his sister Alice McGuinty. His surviving siblings are Frank (Rose) McGurk, Mary “Betty” Jacobsen and Arthur (Lee) McGurk. He is smiling down at his loving wife of 58 years, Celia and their children, Melissa (Shane) Shaulis, James McGurk and Eileen (Lawrence) Miller.

A Catholic funeral mass will be held at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church, Viera, FL, on Tuesday October 26th at 11:00 am. The family will have a private service later where he will be laid to rest at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims, FL.