Edward Hart Tobey, 96, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 7, 2014.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Esther Paxton Tobey; daughter Susan Bender (Ewald); sons James, and David (Lisa); son-in-law Michael Eden; step-children William Lange, Jr., and Carolyn Lange; grandchildren Jeffrey Eden (Janet), Kristen Skoglund (Mark), Gregory Eden (Katherine), Megan Williams (Todd), Katharine Renyi (Chris), Carolyn Chiantera (John), Zachary Tobey (Allyssa), and Luke Tobey; step- grandchildren Lange Sykes, William Lange III; and 14 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Phyllis, and his daughter, Jane Eden.
Tobey was resident of Vero since 1993, and will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
He was born Aug. 4, 1917 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He grew up in Maplewood, N.J. and graduated from the New York State Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y.
When World War II began, Tobey volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy and served in a variety of capacities, rising to the rank of Lieutenant and assuming the command of the Adroit Class Minesweeper, USS Dash (AM- 88). Under his command, the USS Dash voyaged to Auckland, New Zealand and provided escort and patrol duty in the Pacific Forward Area, including the Solomons, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia.
At the war’s end, Tobey returned to New Jersey and resumed a successful career in the candy industry. He worked for several prominent companies before joining Mars Incorporated. At Mars, he worked in management positions and traveled the globe on behalf of the corporation.
After retirement, he and his wife, Phyllis, moved to Mariner Sands, in Stuart. Following Phyllis’s death, he met and married Esther (“Pidge”) Stroud Paxton. He and Esther resided in Old Riomar, enjoying their friends in Vero and traveling the world to such far off places as Turkey, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and many other destinations.
An avid golfer all of his life, Tobey was a member of Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta, N.J., Ekwanok Golf Club in Manchester, Vt., Mariner Sand Coutnry Club in Stuart, Vero Beach Golf Club, and Vero Beach Yacht Club. He was also a proud member of the hole in one club.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to VNA Hospice House 1110 35th Lane Vero Beach, FL 32960. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 15, at 11 a.m., at The Community Church of Vero Beach.