Edward Thomas Rosmarin

SURPRISE - On the afternoon of Aug. 8, 2016, Ed Rosmarin passed away while being attended by staff members at Litchfield Joy Senior Living, Surprise, after a long battle with Parkinsons. Ed was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 6, 1928. He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn; and his older brother, George. He is survived by his two children, Kathleen and Ed, Jr.; as well as his younger siblings, Kenny, Dick, and Arlene. He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Shawn, Kimberly, and Casey; as well as a great-granddaughter, Charlotte. Ed grew up poor in depression-era New York but 'didn't know the difference' in his words. At age 17, during World War II, he went downtown and enlisted in the Coast Guard. He was too young to join on his own, so his parents gave permission, knowing that if they did not, he would likely run away. He spent two years in the service as a radio operator on a Coast Guard cutter and was discharged in 1947. In 1948, he married his childhood sweetheart Marilyn, once again with his parent's permission, as he was too young to marry. Ed had a long and successful career, spending the majority of it with the U.S. Customs Service. He cleared the Beatles through Customs on their first trip to the States. He traveled the world representing the United States government, including two worldwide tours with Presidents Ford and Carter as the US Customs attache to the President. He retired to New Port Richey, Fla., and then eventually to Surprise, where he tore up the tennis court playing unconventionally, switching the racket between hands instead of using a backhand. Ed was not religious in the traditional sense, but was very spiritual and was comforted by his faith in his waning days. In his words, "I believe in a greater life force than I. I know what I am and what I believe and I leave it at that. The whole journey in life is to become a better person, leave the world a better place, be kind, be loving." Ed's family would also like to acknowledge and send loving regards to his friend, Anne Toldrian, who accompanied him through events and experiences over the past 10 years. At Ed's request, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.