Edmund Mooney, beloved father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully July 21, 2010. Ed, the third of eight children, was born to Harry and Zula Mooney on May 29, 1916 in North Platte, Nebraska. At the age of just 12 years, he left home and made his way west to Idaho where he learned his trade of “fixing anything”. He eventually met and married his wife of 65 years, Florence Assendrup and they raised five beautiful children, settling on Vashon Island: Donna (O’Brien), Craig, Keith, Dean and Marilyn.

Ed and Florence were surrounded by many wonderful and supportive friends on the Island where Ed made his living farming and working for K2. They were active members of St. John Vianney and St. Patrick’s church – where Ed spent many a Sunday cooking his special “hot cakes” for the parish pancake breakfasts, ushering, putting together the annual salmon bakes and doing anything the church needed by way of tractor. Ed and Florence also loved to spend time golfing and socializing with their friends at the Vashon Island Country Club and were long time members of the Tacoma Elks Club where they spent many evenings dancing until wee hours of the night with their dear friends Jim and Dorothy (“Dot”) Neal.

Ed cared for everyone. It was not uncommon for people in hard times to have fresh meat and garden vegetables from his farm left on their doorstep. He was readily available to help with any need of farming or heavy equipment and it was not uncommon for people to just drop by the house to see him. Ed will be remembered by Islander and visitor alike for his fresh corn sold at the monument on Monument Road. He kept the honor system of payment and even left his profits/change out there. He figured if he wasn’t paid, or someone took his cash, they needed it more than he did.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Zula, his brothers and sisters, his wife, Florence and his son Dean. He leaves behind his children, 9 grandchildren, 2 ‘adopted’ grandchildren (Craig and Anina Terry) and several great grandchildren who love him dearly and yet are thankful for the great length of time God allowed him to spend with them. Mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday, July 31st at 11:00 am at St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

(Paid obituary)