Edward Joseph Stankus, age 75 of Eastlake, passed away May 24th, 2020 at the Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio after bravely fighting cancer for over 24 years. He was born July 8th, 1944 in Cleveland to the late Joseph and Hazel Stankus and was a graduate of Mayfield High School.
He was an avid golfer early in life and his love of the game kept him on a golf course through the years. He spent much of his youth playing or caddying at several local courses. Canterbury Golf Club in Gates Mills is one of which he spent quite a bit of time and made many relationships through. He also served as assistant club pro at Tanglewood, and ultimately built a career as a caddy on the LPGA and Senior PGA tours traveling around the country and caddying for a future Golf Hall of Famer along the way.
Edward served his country in the United States Army as an MP and was stationed in Germany where he developed a love for the country. Following his service he returned home and shortly after started a family, settling in Eastlake where he would periodically provide an extended stay for a fellow caddy in need. Along with his love for golf he also enjoyed playing pool or cards, fishing, as well as watching and debating sports. Ed had an acuity for math, numbers and strategy that translated well in both his career and some of the games he enjoyed like chess. He was also known by many for his comedic use of the english language and knack for creating nicknames that stood the test of time. Conversation and time spent with family and family friends were also among his favorite pastimes. Many friends of his sons knew if they stopped by around 6 they would be staying for dinner whether they were hungry or not. He loved creating opportunities for connection with family through organized meals, gardening or bulk food purchases, just about anything to keep everyone engaged. Ed just generally enjoyed spending time with his family, seeing them happy and relishing in their pursuits. A smile was always put on his face by creating memories with or making purchases for his grandchildren as well great nieces and nephews. During his yearly trips in October to the pumpkin patch, you could just see on his face how much those times meant to him as his grandchildren searched through for the perfect pumpkin.
Ed is the loving husband for 50 years of Jacqueline Stankus(nee Smith); dearest father of Albert Stankus, Dr. Joseph (Stacey) Stankus and Dr. Christopher (Melissa) Stankus; beloved grandfather of Hannah, Sedona and Julian Stankus; brother of Rosemary (Sam) Nicholson, Sue Wolfe, Bernard Stankus and the late Mary Stankus; uncle of Brian (Sue) Boehringer, Pam Boehringer, Michelle Bradshaw, Angela Petsche and Michael Wolfe; brother in law of Fran Smith and the late Mary Alexia Smith; and “Fast Eddie’s” sidekick, his dog Buster.
The Stankus family will receive friends 4-7 PM Thursday, June 11th, 2020 at The Abbey of Willoughby, 38011 Euclid Ave., Willoughby (which is located on the grounds of McMahon Coyne Vitantonio Funeral Home). Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM Friday, June 12th at Our Lady of The Lake, 19951 Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid.
Burial at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.
Donations can be made in Ed’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 6100 Rockside Woods Blvd. N #445, Independence, OH 44131.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jeff Monreal Funeral and Cremation Services.
