Edward John Ganter of Murphy, Texas, patriarch of a large, close-knit family, passed away on January 30, 2021 at the age of 86. Ed was born in 1934 to Edward Henry and Margaret (Harmon) Ganter in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He had one sister, Ann, who was 5 years older. They had a playful, competitive relationship, and Ed spent most of his youth trying to outrun his older sister. They grew up in Mount Oliver, a suburb of Pittsburgh, and their house was the gathering place for every child on the street.
Ed started his first job when he was 15 years old as a courier for Western Union. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School and graduated in 1952. The day after graduation, Ed started work at J.A. Williams, a wholesale distributor in Pittsburgh. “That’s where my life changed forever,” he often said. On his first day at work, Ed met Toni Bucci in the company’s lunchroom. He was smitten from the start! As time went on, they met with a group of coworkers at lunchtime and enjoyed playing cards. Their friendship evolved into a courtship, and by 1954 Ed thought they might get married. But they were still young and the family thought it would be wise for Ed to fulfill his military obligation first, so he enlisted in the United States Army.
Ed completed his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division. When the Army discovered how fast he could type, they sent him to clerical school. Ed returned home and proposed to Toni before shipping out for Sendai, Japan where he was stationed for 2 years. During his time in the Army, Ed was recognized by his commanding officer for his “complete and unquestionable devotion to duty” and received the Good Conduct Medal for “exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity.” Ed was honorably discharged from active duty in 1956 but continued to serve in the US Army Reserves until 1962.
Ed married Toni on May 11, 1957 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Pittsburgh. They started their family soon afterwards, celebrating the birth of six children in eight years. As the children grew up, they did everything as a family. They always ate dinner together, and Ed insisted on doing the dishes with the children afterwards. Most nights they all enjoyed watching TV or playing cards. The family moved to Dallas in the early 1970s. As the children got older and developed their own interests, Ed and Toni became very involved in their activities. For many years, they served as president of either the Band Club or the Athletic Booster Club. They chaperoned many homecoming dances, proms, band trips and countless events. Ed continued to embrace his role as a father, even as their children grew to adulthood. He made sure they knew they could always talk to him and Toni about anything, providing endless love and support. And Ed was a devoted husband, with Toni’s wellbeing always in the forefront of his mind. Ed was surrounded by his large, loving family until the end.
Throughout his life, Ed modeled many virtues including hard work and self-discipline. While his oldest daughter was still in high school, Ed returned to college and within 2 years earned his Associates of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from El Centro College, making the Dean’s Honor List every semester. Ed was humble about this and many of his accomplishments, but Toni and their children were exceptionally proud.
Recounting his life, Ed insisted that he never had a job he didn’t love. He worked for many years in the railroad and transportation industry for both the Milwaukee and Katy Railroads. Along the way, he developed many lasting friendships and was admired for his organization skills, hard work and attention to detail.
After moving to Texas, Ed remained a loyal fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates. He often sported a Steeler jersey and he loved watching games with Toni, explaining calls and calmly providing commentary. He and Toni often enjoyed the company of their children and grandchildren when a Steeler game was on TV. Ed was thrilled to be at Forbes Field for game seven of the 1960 World Series when the underdog Pirates defeated the Yankees in what many refer to as “the greatest game ever played.” In recent years, Ed also became a fan of the Texas Rangers and enjoyed going to games with his family.
Ed was a devout Catholic his entire life and, along with Toni, raised their children in the faith. They were members of All Saints Catholic Church for many years where they especially enjoyed the time they spent with many friends in Golden Saints.
Ed and Toni’s love story spanned 70 beautiful years, and Ed never grew tired of sharing fond memories of how they met, how he proposed, and many more. He always called her as “My Love” and introduced her as “My Bride.” Always walking hand in hand, the love they shared was apparent to all. In recent months when Ed reflected on his life, he said with a smile, “I feel that I’ve been blessed with an extremely good life.”
Ed is survived by his “bride of 64 years,” Toni, their 6 children: Stephanie Bronson and husband, Greg, Mark Ganter and wife, Gaye (Arnold), Tricia Glick, Mary Wade and husband, Rod, Christine Browne and husband, Steve, Gretchen Jamail and husband, Jason; 17 grandchildren: Amy Liverman, Jennifer Warren (John), Nic Bronson (Ma’ayan Scher-Marcus), Nikki Ganter, Zachary Ganter, Emily Hollomon (Luke), Hannah Glick, Margaret Glick, Henry Glick, Rebecca Glick, Jason Wade (Amber Presley), Jacob Wade (Dana Galway), Joshua Wade, Jaxon Wade, Stephanie Pollard (Caleb), Christopher Jamail, and Megan Jamail; 4 great-grandchildren: Max Liverman, Amelia Liverman, Jonah Warren and Presley Wade; and many extended family members and friends. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Ann Rader, and granddaughter, Abigail Glick.
Ed’s family is grateful for the exceptional care he received over the years from his team of doctors and their staffs. Donations may be made in Ed’s honor to the American Cancer Society.
A rosary and viewing for the immediate family will be held on Thursday, March 4. The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, March 5 at 1:00 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in Dallas followed by the burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Rowlett. Masks are required and the funeral will be livestreamed at https://www.allsaintsdallas.org/livestream/.