Edward A. Baran's Obituary
Edward A. Baran, 91, a resident of Fort Myers, passed away Thursday, June 10, 2021 under the care of Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, FL. He was born June 6, 1930 in Leckrone, PA to the late Andrew and Mary Rose Baran.
Ed served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. After discharge, he enrolled in the Cleveland Engineering Institute and studied drafting and began working for Reliance Electric Engineering Company and was transferred to Ashtabula, Ohio. He was promoted to the Research and Development Department. In 1967 he purchased the Komplete Car Wash and sold it in 1972 to move to Clearwater, Florida, where he purchased another business, the Tastee Freeze in Dunedin, Florida. After his first wife, Helen became ill with cancer, they sold their business, and he went to work for Union Carbide Corporation (Medical Oxygen) Linde Division. In a few short months he was promoted to Branch Manager and was transferred to Fort Myers, FL. Union Carbide sold the medical oxygen business to Lincare, Inc and he retired 17 years later.
Ed was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1956, holding many positions, Outside Guard, Deputy Grand Knight, and eventually became Sir Knight. While he was the Grand Knight of the San Carlos Council in 1994-95, the council received the Star Council award. He was Faithful Navigator during the 1996-97 tenure. He also received other awards, Knight of the Month (several times) and Knight of the Year (twice). A first degree was named in his honor on February 18, 1998, and a second degree on December 18, 1998. In July 2000, Ed and his wife Jeannette were named family of the month.
At the time of his passing, Ed was a member of St John XXIII Catholic Church. Once a member of the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, he was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Men’s Club. Also, a member of the American Legion, VFW and Sharps and Flats Organ Club. He belonged to the Rotary Club of South Fort Myers, and proudly earned the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International in 1988. He volunteered at the Southwest Regional Medical Center Cardiac Rehab Unit. He was also on the Board for Ave Maria and helped raise money for the scholarship fund at both Ave Maria and Bishop Verot High School. He was also a Board member of the Gateway Homeowners Association.
In addition to his parents, he is also predeceased by ten siblings Louis, Agnes, Andrew, Evelyn, Ethel, Josephine, Rosalia, Dorothy, Mildred and Mary, and by three wives, Helen, Jeannette and Jeannine, and beloved daughter, Jeannie Marie Baran Brown and a son that died at birth.
Edward is survived by his loving daughter, Carol Schmidt and her husband, Bill of Cape Coral, FL; one adored granddaughter, Jeannie Marie Schmidt of Cape Coral, FL; as well as many nieces, nephews, and his church family and many friends.
A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Thursday, June 17, 2021 with a Rosary led by the family at 7:30pm at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 PM, Friday, June 18, 2021 at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, FL.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to St. John XXIII Catholic Church “Poor Box”, 13060 Palomino Lane, Fort Myers, FL. in loving memory of Edward A. Baran.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
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