Obituary of Edward A. Harley, Jr.

Ed (Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle) Harley departed this world with his family at his side on Friday, March 1, 2019, after a valiant struggle against many recent health issues. He was 77 years young. Ed was born in New York City on November 11, 1941, where he spent much of his youth before moving to Teaneck, N.J., and then to Randolph, N.J., where he remained a lifelong resident. He graduated from Dover High School, followed by service in the U.S. Army National Reserve, and then became an electrician’s apprentice with IBEW Local #3 to become a licensed electrician. He met his future wife, Roberta Poletti, through his younger sister, Florence. He worked his way up through the New York City electrical contracting industry, eventually becoming a project executive for large, complex commercial projects. During these years, Ed and Roberta raised their son and four daughters, seeing them all through college and into successful professional and personal lives. Ed’s greatest legacy is the love he had for his family, and the time he was able to spend with them, especially on many memorable family trips. Professionally, one of the projects he was most proud of during a five-decade career was overseeing the Empire State Building’s LED tower light installation, illuminating the iconic New York City skyline like never before. He will be forever missed by family, friends, and colleagues. His beloved parents, Florence Grant Harley and Edward Albert Harley, Sr., as well as his beloved aunts, uncles, and grandparents predeceased Ed. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Roberta Poletti Harley, his children, Edward Albert Harley III (MaryBeth), Bobbi Harley Holland (Sam), Christina Harley Zamoff (Jamie), Patty Harley Fitzner (Adam), and Margaret Harley, his grandchildren, Ava, Nate and Brooke Zamoff, Lyla and Sam Holland, and Finn Fitzner, his sister, Florence Harley Sternaimolo (Charlie), and nephews, Charles, Michael and godson Dan Sternaimolo (Kelly). Please join us to celebrate Ed’s life on Thursday, March 7, at 2 p.m. at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 Route 10 West, Randolph, N.J., with a service at 3 p.m, and a reception at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, his family asks for donations in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), Ed’s favorite charity. And to honor his memory, please love your family and hold them close.