Edward A. Jardim, Lifelong Newspaperman, Dies at 85

Edward A. Jardim of Long Hill Township died on July 15 at Morristown Medical Center with his family at his side. He was 85.

As a writer and editor, Mr. Jardim devoted much of his professional life to the printed word. He started as a so-called printer’s devil at his father’s Portuguese-language newspaper, the Luso-Americano, in the Ironbound district of Newark. He remained proud of his Portuguese heritage throughout his life.

Before receiving a degree in journalism at Temple University in 1957, Mr. Jardim worked as a copy boy at the Philadelphia Inquirer. His college studies were interrupted by a two-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army, including service in Korea. He returned to New Jersey later in 1957, eventually settling with his wife Joy in Passaic (now Long Hill) Township, where they raised their six children.

After stints at several north Jersey newspapers, Mr. Jardim took a reporting job with the Courier-News in Plainfield. In 1969 he was appointed its night editor, managing a crew of reporters and editing their copy for publication.

In 1974 he went to work for the New York Daily News as a reporter and copy editor until opting in 1988 to return to the Courier-News. Over the years, he often “moonlighted” at newspapers such the Star-Ledger, New York Post, Bergen Record, Midnight Globe and others.

In retirement, he was active as a freelance writer and editor, and, in early 2016, authored a book-length history of the Ironbound neighborhood. A few months later, Newark Public Library named Mr. Jardim one of “Newark’s Literary Lights” for his achievements as an author and journalist.

Mr. Jardim was a faithful communicant of St. Vincent de Paul Church for 55 years. He was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. He was much loved by his family and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Jardim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joy (Menza), and six children, Edward Jardim and his wife Roselle, Claudia Jardim, Dr. Carla Jardim and her husband John Gattuso, Matthew Jardim and his wife Janice Perlin, Eleanor
Jardim and Thomas Jardim and his wife Karen Fountain, 16 grandchildren: Michael Jardim and his wife Tasha, Mark Jardim and his wife, Rokshana, Thomas Jardim and his wife Nerlande, Stephen, Sharonrose, Marisa and David Jardim, Giovanna, Reina and Natalia Gattuso, Ethan and Sarah Jardim, Matthew Stern, Cecile, Charlotte and Nathaniel Fountain-Jardim and three great-grandchildren, Luca, Nico and Elias Jardim. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Natalie and Antonio Matinho, sisters-in-law Carol Menza and Florence Krystofiak and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Calling hours are 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 7:00 -9:00 pm at the Valley Memorial Funeral Home 1012 Valley Rd., Gillette, NJ on Thursday, July 20, 2017 . A Funeral Mass is 10:00 am on Friday, July 21, 2017 at St. Vincent de Paul RC Church, Bebout Ave., Stirling.. For more information and online condolences visit valleymemorialfuneralhome.net

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