Edward Donald Perkowski

Edward Donald Perkowski

Edward D. Perkowski “Pop Pop” lost his battle with cancer and died peacefully at his home in Ft. Pierce, Florida, on Saturday, January 24, 2009, surrounded by his loving family and adoring wife, Eleanor. Born in Phoenix, New Jersey on April 2, 1924, Ed was the youngest child of five children, born of two Polish immigrants. He lost his father at the age of twelve.

In 1942, Ed volunteered with the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Alaska, CB-1, where he served in the South Pacific. After completing his tour of duty, he returned to New Jersey and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from N.J. State Teacher’s College in Newark, under the GI Bill. He taught 4 years in Cabinet School (a school subsidized by the government for veterans of WWII), whose students averaged twice his age.

After the school was closed, his adventurous spirit took Ed to Alaska to work during the summer of 1948. In 1953 he returned and joined the Carpenter’s Union #1243, and in 1954, he again ventured to Alaska with his new bride, Eleanor, driving up the Alcan Highway in his 1951 Chevy Convertible. It was probably the first convertible brought to the Far North. Intending to stay only one construction season, they fell in love with Alaska and made it their home for over 50 years, raising seven daughters and one son.

In 1959, the year Alaska became a state, Ed was elected as the Business Representative for the Carpenters Union and held this elected position for over 25 years. During this time, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was built, and Ed negotiated with the oil companies to ensure his carpenters received comparable wages in line with other Unions. In addition, through his efforts, Ed’s Union members were the first to receive retirement benefits in Alaska.

During his life in Fairbanks, Ed was instrumental in many charitable projects, volunteering his services and the services of his Carpenter Apprentices, such as erecting the stage used for the Pope/President 1984 visit, constructing numerous wheelchair ramps and assisting in HIPOW, the Tanana Valley Fair among many others.

He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church (the Little Church) where his children were baptized. He and his Union were instrumental in the renovation of the Little Church, thus establishing it as a Historical Monument. Ed was an honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also an active member of the Democratic Party of Alaska.

Ed loved baseball and he and his children spent entire summers at the Goldpanner baseball games, also housing players through the baseball seasons. This love of sports was reflected in his Grandchildren.

With a little help from his doting wife Eleanor, Ed raised eight children and was a proud grandfather of 10. As a grandfather, “Pop Pop” excelled. There were Sunday barbeques in the back yard with a large garden, where children were encouraged to sneak the sweet carrots and strawberries and run though the sprinkler. There were also many trips to Hawaii and Florida as well as the annual Halibut fishing trip off the Kenai Peninsula.

After retirement, in 1988, Ed and Eleanor followed the New York Mets to Ft. Pierce, Florida and spent considerable time there enjoying spring training as well as endless sunshine.

Ed is survived by his wife of 55 years, beloved Eleanor. Children, Ellen Craig, Ed Perkowski, Karen Perkowski, Joanne Perkowski, Lynn Vandermeer, Carol Bolt, Christine Perkowski and Lu Ann Grill and their spouses, Ana Maria Perkowski and Tim Vandermeer.
Ed’s 10 Grandchildren are Jonathan (Amanda) and Victor Craig; Erin McMilon; Matthew, Jordan, Drew and Ben Vandermeer; Brittney Bolt; Breck Grill; Jessica (Joseph) Meyers; and a most precious Great-Grandchild Brayden Meyers. One of Brayden’s first words was “Pop Pop”.

He is also survived by his cousin, Cecila Hart of New Jersey and 5 nephews and 2 nieces living in Alaska, California, Virginia, New Jersey and France.

There will be a Mass held in Ed’s honor on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Fort Pierce. Another celebration of Ed’s life will be held in Alaska this summer. The family requests that all donations be made in Ed’s honor to the Treasure Coast Hospice and St. Mark’s Catholic Church.