Edward Hancharik, born July 12, 1920, in Newark, N.J., passed away Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, peacefully in his sleep, at his home in Southern Pines.
A funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Pinehurst, with Father Edward J. Burch officiating. Entombment will take place on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Gate of Heaven cemetery, in East Hanover, N.J.
A longtime resident of Livingston, N.J., Vero Beach, Fla., and later on, Pinehurst and Belle Meade, Ed is survived by his daughter, Marion Hughes. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Virginia Hancharik. He was the favorite uncle of seven nieces and nephews and nine great-nieces and nephews, as well as nine great-great-nieces and nephews and brother to Richie, of Livingston, and sister Mary, both of whom preceded him in death.
A first-generation American of Russian heritage, Ed began his professional career in early 1943 as a machinist for Bendix Aircraft. Two months after Pearl Harbor, he went to Ethiopia on behalf of Douglas Aircraft of California. Two years later he enlisted in United States Navy first based in Bainbridge, Md., before being accepted into flight training school in Pensacola, Fla. He subsequently received an honorable discharge as the war ended.
Working as a Yellow Pages salesman for New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, he attended night school at Seton Hall University, and after eight years obtained his degree in business administration.
In 1952 he moved to AT&T and received full executive grooming and attended Wharton. As his career expanded, he was appointed to director level, where he very successfully ran the entire phone directory operation (White and Yellow Pages ) nationwide.
Ed was a avid golfer and tremendously enjoyed sport fishing of all types. In 1972, Ed took on a new role as father to an orphaned niece 11 years old and was a loving father for more than 40 years. His retirement coincided with the breakup of AT&T, and he and his wife, Virginia, enjoyed more than 30 years in Vero Beach, Fla., and Pinehurst.
His enduring Catholic faith, his generous and loving ways, his dedication to his cherished wife of 56 years, who passed away in 2007, and his daughter Marion, along with his witty sense of humor and keen interest in world affairs and the political scene, were trademarks that made all those who interacted with him tremendously enjoy his company. He will be fondly remembered and missed dearly by all who had the joy of his friendship and love, especially by Dorothy McAllister Mason and her family, Bernard Roger, and Nick and Clementine Roger.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Seton Hall Fund, 457 Centre St., South Orange, NJ 07079, or at their website https://bayley.shu.edu/SSLPage.aspx?pid=292.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.