Edward Francis O’Toole, 73 of Manchester, New Jersey, passed away at home, on August 19, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Joseph Toole and Matilda Knepper Toole Robinson, brother to Timothy Toole, his late sister Matilda Toole, and beloved grandmother Stella Beck. His family moved to Middletown, New Jersey in the 1960’s where he graduated from Middletown High School in 1969. After graduation, Eddie as he was known to his friends and family, enjoyed travel and adventure as he hitch-hiked his way out West to visit friends, lived in the Florida Keys and the Guadalupe Islands, French Caribbean. He finally settled down marrying his wife Nancy (Brach) in October 1986, and in 1993, he became a proud father to his daughter, Katherine Kelleigh.  

 

Eddie was a well-read person who enjoyed reading all types of literature, especially history books, and the Wall Street Journal. He had a gift of knowledge that allowed him to talk to anyone about anything. He was a very likable person and at times, you might have thought he was running for politics. When he was younger, he ran on “Eddie-time” when it came to attending an event but once there, he worked the room talking to everyone and made sure everyone was having a good time. He liked watching the history channel, CNBC stock market, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Ancient Aliens and the reality show, Below Deck (for the travel destinations, not the drama, according to him). He also enjoyed many life pleasures such as the company of good friends and family, storytelling of the “good-old” days, the opera, good music and especially, a fine meal.  

 

He often found humor in many things and was known to be a character. He was a devoted family man, a kind and caring person to all that knew him and rarely showed his “Irish” temper. Over the course of his life, Eddie explored various careers as a waiter and bartender but landed in the construction industry where he was a mason, having once owned his own masonry business before deciding to become a full time “Mr. Mom.” This responsibility was his favorite as he was able to spend time raising his daughter into a strong and confident individual. Later in life, he was a truck driver for Edgewater Properties for 13 years before retiring in 2015.  

 

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Matilda, sister Matilda, stepfather William Robinson, and Grandmother Stella. He will be deeply missed by his surviving wife of 41 years, Nancy of Manchester, New Jersey; daughter, Katherine and son in law, Gregory Geier of Brooklyn, New York; his brother Timothy Toole of Newark, Delaware; cousins William Knott of Woodbridge, New Jersey, Diane Phillips of Manchester, New Jersey; longtime friends, Jack Szabocski, Gary Ryder, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.  

  

Nancy, Katherine & Gregory, in lieu of flowers, ask for donations to be made to Grace Healthcare Services who provided us with incredible care and comfort. Please make checks payable to Grace Healthcare Services, mailing address 105 Fieldcrest Ave, Suite 402, Edison, NJ 08837. There will be no services but rather a celebration of life. Friends and family are welcome to join us to celebrate and honor Ed’s life on Saturday, September 7th, 2024, from 1 pm – 5 pm at Leisure Fair Plaza, Leisure Village West, Manchester Township, NJ. Please contact Nancy or Katherine to inform them you will be attending. You must use Route 70 gate. The celebration will be held at the Leisure Fair Plaza, located at 5 Buckingham Dr, Manchester Township, NJ 08759.