Edward A. E. "Ed" Yarasheski, Jr.

Edward Alexander Eugene Yarasheski Jr., of Wake Forest and formerly of Bound Brook, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on June 23, 2024.

Edward was born in Glen Lyon, PA on January 9, 1934, the son of the late Edward Yarasheski Sr. and Stasia (Zavistoski) Yarasheski.

He graduated from Newport Township High School in 1951 and Wilkes College in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a minor in English. Soon after graduating, he married his high school sweetheart Elsie Giuliani and moved to Bound Brook, NJ where he taught math, and coached football and basketball at Bound Brook High School.  While working and raising a family, he attended Columbia University Teacher’s College to earn a master’s degree, while also taking courses at Rutgers and Drew University. He earned his Educational Supervision Certification from Seton Hall University.  In 1959, he began working in the newly opened Bridgewater-Raritan High School as a math teacher and coach.  In 1966, he moved to the sister high school, Bridgewater-Raritan High School East, as the Department Chairman of Mathematics where he remained until his retirement in 1993.  In 1973 he was awarded the Outstanding Secondary Educator of America.  Throughout his 38-year career in education, he left a lasting impression on students and colleagues alike.

Edward was always involved within the community where he resided.  He was an active member and usher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and worked at Codrington Park during the summers for the Bound Brook Parks and Recreation Department. He bowled in a local league, was a high school NJSIAA basketball referee and coached various levels of youth baseball and basketball. 

In 2003, Edward and Elsie moved to Wake Forest, NC where Edward served as the Secretary of the Heritage Pointe HOA Board for many years, was one of the founding members of the “Legends” golf organization and coordinated golf tournament events.  He was a parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. One of his passions was active participation in his children's and grandchildren’s lives through one/one coaching in; all sports, academics, careers, landscaping, car & home repairs and faith- but most importantly-life!

Surviving is his wife of 69 years, Elsie, his five children and their spouses, Karen (John), Kevin (Jil), David (Jentry), Jean (Gilbert) and Brian (Alison); eight grandchildren and spouses, Caitlin (Darren), Lucas and Morgen (Corey), Justin and Hannah, Curtis, Michaela (Julian) and Zachary. Ed was especially grateful for the countless friendships formed among the Heritage Pointe community members.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

A time for remembrance and visitation will be held from 12:00-3:00 pm, Saturday afternoon, August 24, 2024 at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587. (919)-556-7400

www.cswfuneralhome.com