Edward Joseph (“Eddie Joe”) Shoffstall, Jr. died peacefully on April 1, 2026, at the

James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida.  He just missed his 76th birthday by one week.

Ed was born on April 8th, 1950 in Queens, New York City, to loving parents Edward

Shoffstall, Sr. and Lucretia Lagravinese Shoffstall.  Shortly thereafter, his parents moved

to Seaford, Long Island, to join the rest of Lucretia Shoffstall’s large, tight- knit Italian

family.  There he was raised alongside his two sisters, Angela, and Veronica “Ronnie”.

When Ed was eleven years old, his father, Edward Shoffstall, Sr. lost his life while

receiving the first groundbreaking experimental dialysis trials for his PKD, Polycystic

Kidney Disease, a fatal genetic disorder which Ed and his two sisters also inherited.  By

signing up for these first trials, Edward Shoffstall, Sr. paved the way for the treatment

his three young children eventually needed to survive to their adulthood, and their

subsequent kidney transplants.

Graduating from General Douglas MacArthur High School, Ed followed in his father’s

footsteps by joining the Navy.  Edward Shoffstall, Sr. served in the Navy during WWII,

and Edward, Jr. served proudly in the Vietnam War in-country as a Navy Seabee, the

specialized elite construction battalion.

After military service, Ed used the GI Bill to enroll in and graduate from The School of

Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City as a Photography Major.  Ed swiftly established

himself as a professional photographer in multiple styles including fashion and

advertising.

After his successful photography career, Ed returned to his hometown of Seaford to live

with and take care of his dying elderly mother, Lucretia.  After her passing, Edward

suffered another loss, the tragic and sudden death of his former wife, Karen Margarethe

Allerellie, for whom he also cared.

While in Seaford, Ed formed his own construction company, pulling from skills he

learned during his service in the Seabees.  Ed’s favorite jobs were those engaging his

visual creativity: custom works and commissions for art displays, kitchens, libraries,

wainscoting, fireplace mantles, and intricate coffered ceilings.

Ed was always an outdoorsman.  This lifelong passion was formed during his early

childhood visits with his paternal German grandparents on their farm in Illinois.  Ed loved

hiking and camping, sailing, and racing catamarans.  He especially loved fishing, both in

freshwater and salt, and traveled extensively to catch salmon.  Ed’s favorite times,

however, were fly fishing for trout with his childhood buddies in upstate New York.

Ed identified strongly as a Navy Seabee and Vietnam Vet, maintaining strong bonds

with his Veteran brothers.  He was proudly Italian and a terrific cook!  Ed learned his

culinary skills from his mother and maternal grandmother, who was born in Bari, Italy.

He also was devoted to the numerous friends he made throughout his life, including his

special friend, Jeanne.  Ed stepped in to help Jeanne raise her young son, Aidan.

Edward was predeceased by his father Edward Joseph Shoffstall, Sr., his mother

Lucretia Lagravinese, his ex-wife Karen Allerellie, and his sister Veronica “Ronnie”

Shoffstall.  He is survived by his loving friend Jeanne and her son, Aidan, his beloved

older sister Angela Fetsco, various extended family, and countless dear friends.

Ed loved to laugh and will be remembered for his well-developed sense of humor, his

banter with his friends, and his generosity with time and resources.  We will miss his

kind, thoughtful, and caring nature.    ❤️

At some future date, a Remembrance of Ed’s life will be held.  Invitations will be sent.