Edward Joseph Sharkey passed peacefully from this world surrounded by his loving wife and family, Dec. 13, 2015. He was born July 6, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Edward J. Sharkey and Florence (Letts) Sharkey.
He was preceded in death by his brother, William; and sister, Bernadine.
In 1941, the family moved to Arcadia, Florida, where his father trained pilots during the Second World War. He graduated from DeSoto County High School in 1944, where he was a standout in football, basketball and baseball. He attended Duke University on a football scholarship. He started at center as a freshman and played against Alabama in the 1945 Sugar Bowl, while only 17 years old. In 1946, he transferred to the University of Nevada, Reno, joining a roster that would produce seven future NFL players.
Ed joined the New York Yankees of the All American Football Conference (AAFC) in 1947, playing professional football in Yankee Stadium in his hometown for four years. In 1951, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.
When he returned to professional football in 1952, the NFL had absorbed its rival AAFC and he had been claimed by the Cleveland Browns. After one year in Cleveland, he was part of the biggest trade in NFL history to that point. It involved 14 players and landed him in Baltimore for the 1953 season.
He was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1954, followed by two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. In 1957, “Shark” signed as a free agent for more money in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He rewarded the British Columbia Lions with his finest season, earning all league honors as a guard on offense and linebacker on defense. A severe neck injury ended his football career after five games the following season.
He went on to a successful career in the beer business, first at Labatt in Canada. Moving back to the United States, he worked for Lucky Lager, rising to the position of vice president of sales. He later worked in automobile sales, eventually becoming a partner at Centralia Ford in Centralia until he retired.
Ed met his wife Patricia (Whitlock) Sharkey while in high school in Arcadia, Florida. They married in 1953. They enjoyed a blessed and loving marriage of 62 years and had eight children, sons, Edward of Jackson, Michigan, James of Spokane, Thomas of Boise, Idaho and William and John, who preceded him in death; and daughters, Shawn Hill of Centralia, Kelly of Vancouver and Colleen of Olympia. Pat and Ed have nine grandchildren, Duncan, Kaitlin, Kelsey, Ted, Drew, Hayley, Kyle, John and Abigail.
Ed had a long and interesting life that took him from New York to Florida, Canada to California and finally to Kent and Centralia, Washington. He loved horse racing, even owning and training a few Thoroughbreds at Portland Meadows and Longacres. He got a love of aviation from his father, once owning and piloting his own small plane. His favorite form of transportation, though, was by train. On the golf course he was a competitor who liked a skin game or Nassau to keep it interesting. He enjoyed a New York strip and Jack on the rocks with a splash while listening to Frank. His sweet tooth was insatiable, with New York cheesecake his favorite.
He loved people. He met thousands of them over the course of his life from the famous to the anonymous and treated them all with respect and kindness. They were often subject to his subtle, sharp wit, a wink and a smile.
Most of all he loved his family. Together with his wife, they were the center of his life. Ed and Pat were happiest when surrounded by their children, grandchildren and other relatives. Ed “Shark” Sharkey goes to his rest knowing he always did his best for those he loved. He will be sorely missed, and forever loved and remembered.
A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at Gibson House Event Center, 221 N. Tower Avenue, Centralia, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed’s name to St. Joseph School in Chehalis, Washington, would be appreciated.
