Edward Joseph Kaestner

Edward was born on October 16, 1948, in Albany, New York. He was known by friends and
family as Ed, or Eddie, and was the son of Edward and Adelaide (Tillie Marienello) Kaestner. He
passed away at his home in Jupiter, Florida, on November 3, 2022, at the age of 74. He leaves
his wife of 41 years, Carolyn, and his 3 daughters: Stephanie, Chandler, Arizona; Jennifer,
Fulshear, Texas; and Amy Free, Knoxville, Tennessee. They were blessed with 10 grandchildren.

He attended Christian Brothers Academy, a Catholic Boys Military School, in Albany where he
starred as quarterback for their high school football team. Ed attended Albany Community
College and found his way to Austin, Texas, where he lived an avante guarde lifestyle. Flapjack
Canyon was one of his employers; he was a manager and line cook there. He learned to love
country music and played drums for a band, plus he was a handyman for a houseboat
community and was taught the HVAC trade. Many of his experiences included living on a
houseboat and rescuing a baby fawn! A snowstorm diverted his plane to Kansas City while he
was en route to New York so he made his new home there. In 1979 Ed began his career in
industrial supply where he learned the art of sales. Ed was introduced to Carolyn through her
mother and his mutual friend and were married 8 months later in Overland Park. The family
moved to the Chicago area in 1996 and he began his career in electrical sales. He retired isn
2021 after over 40 years in that industry.

He was raised as a Catholic, served as an altar boy, and went to a Catholic boys military school.
After he and Carolyn met, they found they had a common desire to deepen their faith. He loved
God, studying the Word, attending Bible Studies and not only played percussion in church
worship services but played guitar in their home group.

Ed was a man of many interests and talents. His first musical instrument was the drums and he
went on to later teach himself other percussion instruments, plus the guitar, violin, and piano.
It became his passion in life and he loved many, many different types of music over the course
of his life.

His father taught him the woodworking, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical trades and he
excelled in all these. The family knew him as a MacGuiver with the ability to fix anything! His
father and grandfather were engineers and passed along those traits to Ed.

Being raised in an Italian home, he appreciated good food and everyone knew that he loved his
chocolate, Ritz Crackers, Oreos and a cold Arizona Ice Tea!

Ed was a grandfather extraordinaire! He loved playing every kind of game and sport with his
grandchildren, including trampoline, basketball, football, board games, charades, dolls, and
cards. Of course, any musical instrument would be of special interest to their Papa, or to "Bob".
He enjoyed their conversations and was always quick to fully engage.

Animals had a special place in his heart and life. He loved his dogs and cats and occasionally
found a stray wild or exotic animal that needed a home and was quick to drive them to a
rescue. In Jupiter his black cat, Jake, was more like a dog and they were devoted pals for over
13 years.

Ed was a staunch patriot and follower of all things political with strong conservative values. He
was an avid reader and the subject matter of late was true military and historical stories. He
was a true Second Amendment advocate!

As a life-long lover of all things science, Ed took the liberty of visiting NASA, taking a tour of the
Space Shuttle, and went so far as to investigate taking an outer space flight! He loved Star Trek
and all things Science Fiction. Some of their debates included the question of UFOs and aliens!

Many things come to his family's minds when they think of their Husband, Daddy and Papa. He
was a leader, strong in his convictions, unwavering in his beliefs, humble, simple yet intelligent,
well-read, could hold a conversation with anyone, loving, kind, softhearted, fun, loved humor
and loved to laugh, generous, a willing servant and always made himself available for anyone.
All knew Ed as a loyal and faithful friend, and he attempted to stay in touch with his friends
throughout his life.

To all who knew him, Ed will be missed. It was an honor to know him and have him in our lives.