Edward Harris, 55, a life-long resident of Holmdel, passed away April 18 at Riverview Medical Center. Ed was born March 11, 1965 in Red Bank. After graduating in 1983 from Holmdel High School, he went on to get his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Delaware. Soon after, he met his wonderful wife Dina and they were married in 1994. They decided to remain in his home community of Holmdel to raise their sons, Jeffrey and Nicholas.
Edward was the proud owner of Holmdel Farms, LLC, a landscaping and nursery company that he put his heart and soul into for many years.
Ed is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Joyce Harris, who were well known in the Holmdel community where they raised seven sons. Ed was the beloved husband of Dina Masterpalo-Harris for 25 years. Ed is the devoted father to his exceptional sons, Jeffrey and Nicholas Harris. Ed was the loving brother to Joseph, David and wife Linda, Michael and wife Ann, Thomas, John, and Charlie and wife Julie. He was the cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews, to his Aunt Dorothy and Aunt Mavis and many cousins, too.
Ed had many joys in life, but the most joy he got was being with his wife and sons. His life revolved around his family and he participated in every aspect of their lives, especially with sports. Anyone who knew Ed was well aware he was obsessed with sports. He especially loved to coach his sons and many other players in the AAU basketball league for many years.
Ed was also a constant supporter of Holmdel High School sports teams with a great love for the basketball and football teams for which his sons were outstanding players. Ed also was an outstanding athlete during his Holmdel High School years, including in basketball and track and field, setting an unbroken Holmdel High School track record, to this date, for the 100-yard dash. Ed also loved to watch and play sports with his friends and was an avid Jets fan. Ed was the life of the party and everyone truly loved him. But above all his joys, however, it was his family that made him the happiest.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, Middletown. Due to the current COVID-19 health crisis, visitation and services will be held privately for the immediate family only. Ed will be entombed at Holmdel Cemetery.
Contributions can be made to the Harris family’s GoFundMe page.
The article originally appeared in the April 30 – May 6, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
