Obituary of Edwin F. Jennings

Edwin F. Jennings, known as Ed Jennings, passed away on April 8, 2020. He was born in Queens, New York, and raised by two wonderful parents, Patrick and Jennie Jennings. Soon after, his parents moved to Brooklyn where Ed was raised and educated. He and his father were avid Yankee fans and shared many games together at Yankee Stadium watching Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

In 1945, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Commissioning Fleet of a new Destroyer, the USS Witek DD848, located in the Boston Navy Yard. He was a member of the Shakedown cruise conducted between New London and Key West where the Destroyer received its EDD-848 designation for antisubmarine warfare systems. Ed, plus several more, were assigned to the Bridge Gang, much to their delight. When the war ended, all aboard were overjoyed when they were granted recognition as World War II Veterans and Plankowners of the USS Witek. Ed proudly carried both designations in his wallet.

Upon his return to civilian life, Ed joined the NYC Fire Department, which turned out to be a very successful decision for him. He was elected five times as president of the 2,600 Member Uniformed Fire Officers Association, and during his service, the Fire Officers presented him with the Man of the Year Award, which he cherished. He retired as a Chief Officer and often said he loved his service in the U.S. Navy and New York Fire Department.

Ed met with several high-rise building owners who convinced him to establish a fire alarm company in Manhattan. He did, and was overwhelmed with numerous contracts for installation, service, and maintenance of fire alarm systems. He expanded operations to meet the demand and purchased facilities in Jersey City where his company, FSA, celebrated more than 40 years in the fire alarm business in 2020.

Ed and his wife Eileen enjoyed boating and fishing. They moved to Gulfport, FL, where they enjoyed being members of the Pasadena Yacht Club and Ed served as president of the Pasadena Point Homeowners Association for five years. Most of all, they enjoyed the Cruising Fleet of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club on their boat “Two on the Edje” and frequently joined the fleet at other Yacht Clubs with friends. More recently, they moved to downtown St. Petersburg where they enjoyed a more carefree lifestyle in a high-rise condo with a view of Tampa Bay. 

Ed was grateful for his wonderful life in New York, New Jersey and Florida. He leaves behind his wife Eileen of 19 years of marriage, and his family in California, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

The care of Edwin and his family have been entrusted to David C. Gross Funeral Home in St. Petersburg.