Edwin W. Wislar, 95, of Princeton passed away Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Penn Medicine of Plainsboro, NJ.
Edwin was born in Trenton, NJ. He attended and boarded at the Lawrenceville School of Lawrenceville, NJ, lettering in baseball & soccer, participating in the glee club, and was a member of the Woodhull House. He then attended and graduated from Yale University before joining the Marine Corps and serving in the Korean War as a Captain, where he was based on the battleship Iowa. He was a recon officer sighting enemy installations in North Korea from helicopters.
Ed married his wife Mary Elizabeth Elliott September 15, 1957 and they had six children together. Mary passed in 1987. He had a successful career in the corporate insurance industry. After his retirement he stayed active continuing to invest in the private and public equity markets.
An avid sportsman, Ed enjoyed fly fishing throughout the US, Canada and Argentina as well as small bird hunting and sailing with his friends and family. He was also a passionate golfer and founding member of the Bedens Brook Club of Skillman, NJ. He could often be found casting weekend afternoons on the Ken Lockwood Gorge in Califon, NJ his favorite local stretch of stream and it was here that Mary went into Labor with her first child Allison.
He was dedicated to coaching his sons’ hockey teams and attending his daughters’ events. He supported many foundations and institutions including serving on the Board of The Chapin School of Princeton, further involvement with the Newgrange School, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, and the Lawrenceville School.
Ed remarried Brenda Kelley in 1989 and they spent his remaining years in Princeton.
He was known by his grandchildren as “Pop Pop” and found joy having them visit, especially swimming in the family pool. At the end of each visit, his grandchildren would wave and yell out of open car windows at the top of their lungs to his delight, “Bye! See you soon Pop Pop!”
Predeceased by his parents George R. and Marion (Garston) Wislar of Amwell, NJ, and a brother George R. Wislar of Atlanta GA.
He is survived by his wife Brenda K. Wislar, four sons and two daughters Elliott W. Wislar, George and Eileen Wislar, Adam (Tad) R. Wislar, John B. Wislar, Allison E. Wislar, Margaret E. Wislar, eleven grandchildren E.J., Mackenzie, Wes, Elliott, Matt, Mary, Jack, Lexi, Charlie, Meredith, Phoebe and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Ed’s Life will be announced in the near future.
In lieu of Flowers or gifts please donate to The Mary Elliott Wislar Memorial Scholarship Foundation of Princeton; Administered by The Princeton Community Foundation.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mather Hodge Funeral Home.