Edward W. Schickling

Edward W. Schickling, age 89, went home to the Lord on January 7, 2021 after battling  cancer. He was the devoted Father of Elizabeth Roantree (Joseph) and Susan Gallus (Michael) and was predeceased by his sons, Baby Joseph, Edward, James and Joseph (Linda). Loving Grandfather to Lynn Heeps (Beau), Joseph Gallagher (Ideleen), Sean Gallagher, Courtney Pisnoy (Matthew), Timothy Schickling, Marie, Elizabeth and Joseph Roantree. Loving great-grandfather of Lucas, Logan, and Layala Heeps, Joseph Gallagher, Gabi and Liam Keiser, James, Matthew and Riley Pisnoy. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Ellen Schickling and is survived by his brother Joseph Schickling (deceased Angie), Regina Layton (Francis) and Jane Kelly (deceased James) and predeceased by siblings Marie Rutter (Harry), Eleanor White (Robert), John Schickling (Bridget), James Schickling, Francis “Fritz” Schickling (Marge) and Baby Thomas.  

Ed was known by many names “Schick, Schickie, Jitterbug, Pops, Uncle Flip” to name a few. He joined the Navy Reserve in 1951 and was called to active duty during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1954.  He started his railroad career with the Pennsylvania Railroad on June 19, 1950 and retired as a signalman from Amtrak on October 30, 1993. He will be missed by his fellow co-workers even after being retired for over twenty years for his uncanny sense of humor and for always stirring the pot. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernian Joseph Patrick Schickling Division 61 (named in honor of his Father, Joseph Schickling who was the embodiment of the AOH Creed) and a former member of St. Anne’s Senior Citizens where he loved playing pinochle, bingo and helping the staff set up for the day’s events. He was also a member of the Polish American Club in Port Richmond. Ed was a graduate of North Catholic High School.

If there was a pinochle game going on somewhere - Pine Hill with his siblings, the Polish American Club, or local bar tournaments, Ed would be in attendance drinking his choice of drinks, a Scotch or perhaps a beer and smoking a King Edward cigar. One of the things he missed most during the last two years was playing cards.  He would often play solitaire to pass the time.

A long-time resident of the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia and a parishioner of St. Anne’s Church, Ed was devoted to his children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending their various sporting events; cheering them on to victory. He loved spending the Christmas Holidays with his beloved children and grandchildren and especially looked forward to his Christmas Eve ritual with Sue, Mike, and the gang. Holidays won’t be the same anymore without him. Every year the family spent two weeks at the Jersey shore where Ed enjoyed relaxing on the beach and swimming in the ocean. Vacations would often end with a stop at Pine Hill, location of an early Schickling family vacation home. Sue and Betsy will miss their daily phone calls with dad when he would end each call telling them to “be good”.

He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews on the Schickling side of the family as he was considered one of their “favorite” uncles as well as by his many neighbors, friends and, most especially, his loving family.

Due to the current pandemic, services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project (support.woundedwarriorproject.org).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward W. Schickling, please visit our floral store.