Edward D. Kee
August 19, 1926 - February 21, 2019
Edward D. Kee, age 92, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 21, 2019, after a short illness.
Born in New Castle, DE on August 19, 1926, he was a son of the late William B. and Elizabeth (Scully) Kee. Edward proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War for 3 ½ years. His entire working career was in the electrical industry. In 1972, Edward became vice-president of Diversified Lighting Associates of Philadelphia. While with Diversified, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors. Edward was instrumental in growing it from a small company and now it is the largest lighting fixture manufacturer in Philadelphia. He was past chairman of the Lighting Division of Electrical Associates of Philadelphia.
A friend to the community, Edward was a life member of St. John’s Lodge #2 in New Castle and belonged to the Delaware Consistory and Nur Temple Shrine. In 1981, he was a member and commander of the Wilmington Power Squadron, a national boating organization. Edward belonged to the Immanuel Church on the Green in New Castle for 82 years and served for a year on the Vestry. Later he became a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Newark. While his children were in high school, Edward served several years as the president of the band boosters helping to raise funds for band trips. In his later years, he and his wife lived at Southridge in Newark, where he served as a member of their council for 5 years and was president for 2 years. Edward’s fondest memories were made traveling extensively around the world with his wife.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce C. (LeFever) Kee; children, Katherine Blackhurst of Hockessin, Wanda Cibroski of Newark, and Eric Jacobson of Baltimore, MD; grandchildren, Christopher Dougherty of Orlando, FL, Brenda Cibroski of Wilmington, Kimberly Cibroski of Newark and Jessica Mooney of Bensalem, PA; and 5 great grandchildren.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 276 South College Avenue, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Edward’s memory to the Exceptional Care for Children, 11 Independence Way, Newark, DE 19713.
Donna McMillan
May memories of your father and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead. Praying for comfort for you and your family during this difficult time.
Sheri Canfield
I’m so sorry to hear about Pops. He was such a great man and I was so lucky to have met and spent time with all of you. He will surely be missed by many. I’m glad Pops was able to see Landon his first 2 years of life. RIP Pops till we meet again. Love to all and my sincere condolences.
Jason Howard
May you have fair winds and fallowing seas.
Pat Dougherty
To Joyce, Kathy and Chris,
I was so sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. I was fortunate to spend some time with him and Joyce and I know he will be sorely missed. Please accept my sincere condolences. He was a wonderful man and I know a great husband, father and grandfather.
Mary Locke
Thinking of you Kathy and your family at this time your in my thoughts and prayers 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
Penny Spugnardi
Dear Joyce,
You have my sincere sympathy. Ed was such an extraordinary person who made such a difference in people’s lives.
Love,
Penny
JCS
Ed was a great man. He taught me to sail. He also helped make the world a bit better. Semper Fi. Jcs.
Patti Coco
Katherine,
Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Patti
Richard Knight
Remembering Ed from Rich Knight
When I started in the lighting business some 30 plus years ago as an employee of United Electric it was a very busy time for the lighting department and there was very little time for the training of a new employee. It was the old throw him the pool and he will learn to swim. I needed someone to mentor me and as luck would have it, a tall white haired gentleman came to my rescue. That person being Ed Kee. Ed was always was available to answer any questions I had and gladly went with me to any site visit to assist.
Ed was vice president of the leading lighting manufactures representative in the tri state area, Diversified Lighting, and was instrumental in my career path which led me to DLA. I looked forward to our many lunches together to discuss lighting and life itself. Ed and I became very close friends and enjoyed a lot of laughs together. I once mentioned to Ed that I would like to take my family to Disney World but had little funds to do so and he offered me his time share in Orlando at no cost. That’s the kind of friend he was. I also got to know his family, his wonderful wife Joyce and equally wonderful daughters Wanda and Kathy. I know that Ed got to sit at the captain’s table on many of his cruises with Joyce. I’m sure he’s sitting at the #1 captain’s table now