Obituary for Edward John Selleny
Edward John Selleny, age 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 23, 2022.
He was born on July 15, 1933. He was the son of the late George and Louise (Trocha) Selleny. He married his sweetheart, Evelyn, on April 25, 1959. They had 62 wonderful years together.
Ed graduated from Cathedral Prep in 1951. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education from Gannon University. He also received his Principal Administration Certificate from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He led a beautiful life and inspired us all to be teachers.
Ed was in the United States Air Force for four years spending two of those years in Japan as a Drill Instructor. After coming home from the service, he was employed by the Erie School District for 35 years as a teacher at Diehl Elementary School and spent the rest of his career as principal at Grover Cleveland and Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary Schools.
He was an active member of the East Erie Turner’s and the Erie Maennerchor Club. He was a member and a past president of the Times Old Newsie. He enjoyed selling papers with his brother John, nephew Joe, son-in-law Gregg Theiss, and grandson Ed Theiss. He devoted many hours each year to getting food ready for distribution to the needy.
He enjoyed playing and socializing over bocce in the leagues at St. George and Nova Aurora Club; in addition to that, leisure time spent boating and traveling with family. He will be remembered for his big heart, generosity and making people laugh with his jokes.
He was an active member of St. Stanislaus Church where he was an usher, a member of church council and chaired the committee for the renovations of the church. He was never one to shy away from helping, he also worked at the yearly fish fries. He was also actively involved at St. Mark’s Seminary’s yearly card party.
Ed was a devoted and loving husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn (Wilczynski) Selleny, his daughter Christina (Selleny) Theiss of Erie; and son Thomas Selleny (Anne) of Concord Twp, OH; 8 grandchildren: Julie (Theiss) Yerger (Matthew), Lewistown, PA; Edward Theiss and Joseph Theiss, Erie, Pa; Jonathon (Mackenzie) Selleny, Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH; Katelyn (Selleny) Kasper (Matthew), North Ridgeville, OH; Elizabeth Selleny, Cleveland, OH; Christopher Selleny and Andrew Selleny, Concord Twp, OH; and 2 great-grandchildren: Noah Yerger and Elliott Selleny; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters: Audrey (Selleny) Miesel (William) of Erie and Georgette (Selleny) Pius of Erie; and sisters-in-law: Suzanne (Riddle) Selleny of Erie, Nancy (Wilczynski) Kujawinski (Arthur) of Erie and Nancy Jo (Novak) Wilczynski of Erie.
Ed was preceded in death by his son-in-law Gregg Theiss; his brother, John Selleny; his brothers-in-law: Richard Wilczynski and Thomas Pius.
His family wishes to thank the Visiting Nurses/Hospice Nurses of Erie, as well as, his caregivers Mary Lou, Patti, Allie and Debbie.
Friends may call on Friday, March 4th at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2502 Sassafras St., Erie, PA 16502, from 3pm until 7pm and are invited to the prayer service at the funeral home on Saturday, March 5th at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Church at 10am, con-celebrated by his nephew and godson, Father Matthew Kujawinski, and Paster Father Jason Glover. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com.
Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen 218 E 11th St. Erie PA 16503, VNA of Erie County 2253 W. Grandview Blvd. Erie PA 16506, St. Stanislaus Church 516 E 13th St. Erie PA 16503, or St. George School 1612 Bryant St. Erie PA 16509.
He was born on July 15, 1933. He was the son of the late George and Louise (Trocha) Selleny. He married his sweetheart, Evelyn, on April 25, 1959. They had 62 wonderful years together.
Ed graduated from Cathedral Prep in 1951. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education from Gannon University. He also received his Principal Administration Certificate from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He led a beautiful life and inspired us all to be teachers.
Ed was in the United States Air Force for four years spending two of those years in Japan as a Drill Instructor. After coming home from the service, he was employed by the Erie School District for 35 years as a teacher at Diehl Elementary School and spent the rest of his career as principal at Grover Cleveland and Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary Schools.
He was an active member of the East Erie Turner’s and the Erie Maennerchor Club. He was a member and a past president of the Times Old Newsie. He enjoyed selling papers with his brother John, nephew Joe, son-in-law Gregg Theiss, and grandson Ed Theiss. He devoted many hours each year to getting food ready for distribution to the needy.
He enjoyed playing and socializing over bocce in the leagues at St. George and Nova Aurora Club; in addition to that, leisure time spent boating and traveling with family. He will be remembered for his big heart, generosity and making people laugh with his jokes.
He was an active member of St. Stanislaus Church where he was an usher, a member of church council and chaired the committee for the renovations of the church. He was never one to shy away from helping, he also worked at the yearly fish fries. He was also actively involved at St. Mark’s Seminary’s yearly card party.
Ed was a devoted and loving husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn (Wilczynski) Selleny, his daughter Christina (Selleny) Theiss of Erie; and son Thomas Selleny (Anne) of Concord Twp, OH; 8 grandchildren: Julie (Theiss) Yerger (Matthew), Lewistown, PA; Edward Theiss and Joseph Theiss, Erie, Pa; Jonathon (Mackenzie) Selleny, Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH; Katelyn (Selleny) Kasper (Matthew), North Ridgeville, OH; Elizabeth Selleny, Cleveland, OH; Christopher Selleny and Andrew Selleny, Concord Twp, OH; and 2 great-grandchildren: Noah Yerger and Elliott Selleny; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters: Audrey (Selleny) Miesel (William) of Erie and Georgette (Selleny) Pius of Erie; and sisters-in-law: Suzanne (Riddle) Selleny of Erie, Nancy (Wilczynski) Kujawinski (Arthur) of Erie and Nancy Jo (Novak) Wilczynski of Erie.
Ed was preceded in death by his son-in-law Gregg Theiss; his brother, John Selleny; his brothers-in-law: Richard Wilczynski and Thomas Pius.
His family wishes to thank the Visiting Nurses/Hospice Nurses of Erie, as well as, his caregivers Mary Lou, Patti, Allie and Debbie.
Friends may call on Friday, March 4th at the Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2502 Sassafras St., Erie, PA 16502, from 3pm until 7pm and are invited to the prayer service at the funeral home on Saturday, March 5th at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Church at 10am, con-celebrated by his nephew and godson, Father Matthew Kujawinski, and Paster Father Jason Glover. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com.
Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen 218 E 11th St. Erie PA 16503, VNA of Erie County 2253 W. Grandview Blvd. Erie PA 16506, St. Stanislaus Church 516 E 13th St. Erie PA 16503, or St. George School 1612 Bryant St. Erie PA 16509.