Edward William Marvel Jr.

Edward William Marvel Jr., age 94, a longtime resident of Westwood MA, passed away on September 15, 2024, after a brief illness. Edward grew up with his three sisters, Germaine, Nancy, and Peggy, in the lively Philadelphia, PA home of Edward and Mary Marvel, surrounded by a large and busy extended family. An adventurous child, he energetically explored the city with his sisters and his friends, and was a long-serving altar boy. He graduated from LaSalle College High School, and Villanova University, where he was a business major and football standout. After college, Ed enlisted in the Air Force, where he served as a pilot in the 60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Otis Air Force Base. He deeply enjoyed flying, and seeing the United States from the cockpit, as well as on the road. While stationed at Otis, he met and married Gertrude Ferazzi of Hyde Park, a teacher, whom he cherished for the rest of his life. The birth of their two daughters, Deborah and Catherine, completed a family foursome that never failed to support and greatly entertain one another. His droll sense of impish humor was legend. 

Ed built a successful insurance benefits consulting firm, where he toiled into his eighties, handily adapting to modern technology. Superbly athletic, he loved playing and watching sports. He enjoyed music, played the piano, and sang in a light baritone. He loved to draw and paint. He reveled in driving great distances. He played bridge and golf, went boating, tended the landscape, read books about history, spoiled dogs, and corresponded with friends. He could design, build, and repair just about anything. He was ever looking skyward, and never lost his fascination with flight. He was a life-long dedicated Catholic. 

Ed was the soul of modesty, and his greatest pride and pleasure was the family he and Trudy raised. He adored his three grandsons, Stephen Marvel-Coen (Caroline Fenn), James Marvel-Coen, and Jonathan Marvel-Zuccola, and attended innumerable concerts, recitals, birthday parties and sporting events. Football Sundays with the boys were a weekly ritual. A more devoted and beloved grandfather is hard to imagine. Ever a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous sense of irony and metaphor, he was a delight to us all, and we will truly love him forever. 

Edward is survived by his wife, Gertrude Marvel (Ferazzi), of Westwood, MA, his daughters, Deborah Marvel (Donald Coen) of Medfield, MA, and Catherine Marvel (Harmon Zuccola) of Westwood, MA, as well as his grandchildren. He is also survived by friends, and many nieces and nephews. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Timothy’s Church, 650 Nichols St, Norwood, MA, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 10:30 am. A brief gathering in the church foyer will begin at 10:00 am. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edward’s memory may be made to Catholic Charities.