Edward D'Aquino, age 86, passed away on April 21, 2013 after being lovingly cared for during his last 4 years at Hilltop Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He had a long journey with dementia but, nevertheless, still enjoyed coffee breaks and chocolate with his wife, Janet. Edward was proud to have served in WWII in the U.S. Navy as Coxswain. He also manned the USS Heywood's 40mm gun and served in the capacity of Beach Battalion attached to the Marines in several islands in the South Pacific. After the war, Edward returned home to marry Evelyn Downey and have three children: Thomas, Vickie and Cindy. He and Evelyn took many family excursions and spent Sundays at his beloved "Mom & Pop's" home with their large Italian/Irish families. Edward worked in a New Jersey foundry for 20 years. Once a week, he enjoyed bowling with friends. Edward eventually began a career in sheet metal fabrication in California, working his way up from an 8th grade education, to getting a G.E.D. in his 40s, to becoming general manager of a large shop in Hayward, CA. Using manuals, he taught himself every aspect of home construction, and, on weekends, built a 2 bedroom retreat home for his family. He still made time to swim, bike, fish and hike with his children.
After Evelyn's passing, he met and married Janet. They celebrated 23 years of wonderful adventures and shared the joy of their combined families. Together, Tom, Vickie, and Cindy, along with Janet's Sherri and Tammi, and all their spouses, gave Edward 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He had all their photos in his wallet and knew all of their birthdays. They will remember him as a capable, hard-working man and will miss his cooking, singing and wonderful smile.
Edward is survived by his wife, Janet D"Aquino of Kerrville, all of his children and their off-spring, his father-in-law, Robert Shaw, and a brother, Thomas D'Aquino and a sister, Barbara Kinney.
Graveside services with military honors, with family and friends in attendance, will be at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, May 30, 2013 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Janet will host a celebration of his life, to honor Edward, at a later date.
The family invites you to send condolences to www.timeformemory.com/wrights or www.wrightsfuneralparlor.net.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright's Funeral Parlor Kerrville
