In Loving Memory of Edward J. Fullmer, Sr.

Edward (Ed, Skip) Fullmer, age 87, of Goodland, Florida, passed from this world, Wednesday, December 1, 2021, in Naples, Florida with his wife Connie (Stegall) at his bedside. Ed battled a cancer that takes many from this world. 

Ed was born July 19, 1934, in Brooklawn, New Jersey, the son of Albert J. and Anna V. (Henry). He graduated from Gloucester High School, Gloucester, New Jersey. At the age of 17 he was accepted into the Steamfitters Union, graduated a five-year apprenticeship, earning the number two position in finals in the U.S. and Canada. Ed went on to spend 43 years with the Steamfitters Local 420 Union in Pennsylvania, serving on the Union board, working with J.J. White Construction. Inc. in Pennsylvania, Riggs Distler and others as a Mechanical Engineer Superintendent; with Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, many of the oil refineries in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Puerto Rico as projects. These kinds of projects, with many workers in place and large city environments, required a strong fortitude of management and negotiating skills. Ed was particularly proud of the five-year project of Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

Ed played football and baseball in school and coached his sons in those same sports, going on to enhance the growth and success of the VFW Stratford Falcons, a midget football team in Stratford, New Jersey, boys ages seven to 15. Many players went on to play college football and professional football. The organization raised monies, funding construction of a clubhouse, lighted football field, cheerleaders, and travel by bus and air to Virginia, Florida and other states for competition games. The organization ran for 14 years.

Ed loved world history, traveled all the states in the U.S. and many countries in the world. He was blessed with a great memory - Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy as mainstays on the TV. He hunted bear, deer and fish with his sons and friends and was a scuba diver. A boater from an early age, he built a boat with his uncle, established a family owned and operated Zodiac boat rental franchise at the Jersey Shore with his children enjoying years of water sports. Boating brought Ed to Goodland, Florida In 1996, running his 42’ Post down the Atlantic and Intercoastal waters to Calusa Marina, Goodland, Florida. Soon thereafter, meeting Connie and their history in Goodland began. Ed was not one to wax time on decision making. Ed and Connie met at Stan’s in Goodland, on December 6, 1996, the following week, happened again to meet at Little Bar, Friday December 13, full moon, shooting stars and on New Year’s Day, 1997, he asked Connie for her hand in marriage, while anchored at Coconut Island in the Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island. They married April 26, 1997, soon thereafter bought a home on Coconut Avenue in Goodland.

A resident of Goodland since 1996, Ed actively participated in the Goodland Civic Association wearing many hats; he made sandwiches at Fat Pelicans on Collier Boulevard, Marco Island; drove for A-Ok taxi, built docks with Carter Dock and Piling, co-operated Vantastic Tours and Everglades Trading Company on Marco Island. Not one to slow down, Ed purchased property in Puerto Morelos, Mexico in 2003, and built a home where he and his wife enjoyed the Caribbean waters, making many wonderful friends from around the world.

Ed leaves behind his wife Connie (Stegall), of nearly 25 years, four children, Edward J. Fullmer Jr., James Edward Fullmer, Sr., Robert James Fullmer, Sr. and Jeannine Marie Fullmer (Chris), five grandchildren: Jessica (J.J.), Jimmy, Ryan (EwaEwa), Robert Jr. (Victoria), Christopher, three great grandchildren: Jaxon, Kash Karter and Adele. Ed is preceded in death by one sister, Susanne Fullmer (Wilson) of New Jersey. Surviving is his sister, Joan Ravenna of St. Petersburg, Florida, and nephew Stephen (JoAnn) of St Petersburg, Florida.

A Memorial/ Celebration of Life gathering will be held Saturday, February 12, 12:00 PM, in Goodland at 699 Palm Avenue West. Friends and family are invited to attend this gathering. Ed will also be celebrated in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, March 2022 and graveside at the Lone Star Church, Forsyth, Missouri in October 2022.

Kindly direct any inquiries to C. Fullmer, 239-734-0825, P.O. Box 263, Goodland, Florida, 34140, goodlandfl@aol.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Ed’s name be made to the Goodland Baptist Church, 410 Mango Avenue, Goodland, Florida, 34140, 239-394-1147.