Edward J. Hemsworth, 93, of Inverness, passed away on October 20, 2016 under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Citrus County. He was born March 20, 1923 on Staten Island, N.Y. to James and Hannah (Mahoney) Hemsworth and was one of five children, the only boy.
He was a sports enthusiast his entire life and while in high school was named to the New York City All Star baseball team. Later he played baseball and basketball on scholarship at St. Michael’s College, VT. and was inducted into the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
He joined the Navy and served as a medic on a carrier in the Pacific. Ever the athlete, he learned to box and entertained the troops during his tour of duty. After his Navy service was completed he went back to college and finished his degree with the help of the GI Bill.
Returning to Staten Island, Ed met the love his life, Joan. They were married and had seven children. He became a New York City Fireman while Joan became an RN. His son Robert later became a Battalion Chief with the New York City Fire Department and his grandson, Jeff Largo carries on the tradition in Hernando County, Florida. While raising the family, Ed continued his involvement in sports playing and coaching in the community both baseball and basketball.
One of the highlight’s of Ed’s career was when, as an off-duty fireman, he single handedly rescued a family whose boat had capsized at night in the bay off Staten Island. When he retired after 20 years with the fire department he began a second career as a school teacher. When other teachers enjoyed their summer vacations, Ed became the manager of the Great Kills Swim Club, a large recreational facility on Staten Island.
In 1978 Ed and Joan retired to Citrus County, Florida where he continued to substitute teach and work as a real estate agent. They lived in Inverness Golf and Country Club and were avid golfers. Last year they moved into the Cedar Creek Assisted Living Facility in Crystal River. Most recently they were living at Brookdale Citrus in Lecanto.
In addition to his parents and four sisters, Ed was preceded in death by his daughter Eileen (1958) and his son, Edward (1963). He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joan and their five children; daughter Patricia Hemsworth of Brooklyn, NY; Janet (Gerry) Mulligan of Crystal River, Fl.; Robert (Cathy) Hemsworth of Staten Island; Maryanne Hemsworth of Pennsylvania; and Joan Hemsworth of Staten Island. He is survived by eight grandchildren; Erin, Jeff, Jeremiah, Jessica, Jennifer, Robert, Brian and Michael and 14 great grandchildren.
The Wake Vigil will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chas E. Davis Funeral Home in Inverness with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima with Father Tim Cummings as the celebrant. Burial will follow immediately at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.
Add Comment