WILMINGTON — Captain Edward Vincent ‘Ed’ Grace, 84, of Wilmington, died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Ed was born Jan. 24, 1934, in Glendale, California, son of the late Leonard A. Grace and Mary Ellen Carroll Grace. His daughter, Carrie Grace Seay, and brother, Leonard Grace, preceded him in death.
He was a proud member of the Class of 1958 of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He went on to serve with distinction at duty stations in California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Washington, as well as here in Wilmington, where he served as the Captain of the Port (USCG Sector, North Carolina, Atlantic Area). Ed was equally proud of his volunteer commitments, including work as an advocate for the annulment tribunal of the Diocese of Raleigh, ombudsman for the New Hanover County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee, alternate from New Hanover County of the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature, committee member of the Cape Fear Elder Abuse Prevention Network, and most importantly, service to his beloved St. Mary parish as a library volunteer at St. Mary School, parish council member, consultant at St. Thomas School Eucharistic Minister, and fourth degree Knight of Columbus.
Ed also earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Grace; children, Moraith North (Mark) of Rockville, Maryland, Stephen Grace (Michelle) of Kensington, Maryland, Seanna Francoeur (George) of Manchester, Connecticut, and James Seay of Wilmington; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; brother, Bernard Grace (Andrea) of Pasadena, California; along with many special nephews, nieces and special friends.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Andrews Valley Chapel. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, at Basilica Shrine of St. Mary with the Rev. Ryszard Kolodziej officiating. Interment will follow in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in the captain’s memory may be made to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
