Edward Davidson

Edward R. Davidson, age 80, of Bluffton, SC, passed away peacefully on July 9 , 2026 leaving behind a legacy of warmth, generosity, and genuine connections. We were all profoundly blessed to have him in our lives.

Ed was born in Newark, New Jersey. The oldest of three sons, he attended Vailsburg High School and Seton Hall University. Upon graduating from college, Ed worked as a high school math teacher in Newark before beginning his career in the convenience store industry in 1970.

Starting at 7-Eleven, moving on to Amoco, with some smaller companies in between, Ed enjoyed a successful, nearly 50-year career as a senior executive. During the course of his career, Ed had the opportunity to move around the country several times, including Massachusetts, Georgia, Connecticut, Illinois and Virginia. At each home, Ed forged lasting friendships and has kept in touch with these dear friends over the decades.

In every place they lived, Ed and his wife, Gae, enjoyed gathering with friends and neighbors, and they were well known in their neighborhoods for making legendary cosmopolitans and lemon drops. Ed enjoyed showing off his excellent bartending skills, honed during his brief stint owning a bar near the University of Connecticut campus, known as the Balloon Salon.

Upon retiring, Ed and Gae moved to Bluffton, South Carolina where they built their dream home in a golf course community. As an avid golfer, Ed was thrilled to have a golf course in his backyard. In addition, he worked as a ranger at another local golf course where he was in his element, chatting and connecting with others who shared his love of the sport.

Ed was a life-long fan of NY Giants football and Seton Hall University basketball, weathering the ups and downs of both teams over the years. He enjoyed the friendly family rivalry between Seton Hall and University of Connecticut, where both his daughter and son in law attended college. He participated in many $1 bets on head-to-head basketball match ups over the years.

Ed loved spending time with family and especially enjoyed being a grandfather. It gave him so much joy to be with his two grandchildren. On family vacations, he loved going to the beach and playing games in the pool with them, as well as golfing with his son-in-law and grandson. He became a super fan of his grandson’s college swim team, traveling to Florida, Georgia and North Carolina to attend swim meets. He was also excited that his granddaughter joined her high school’s varsity golf team, even more tickled to learn she was the only girl on the team.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Gae, his daughter Jill, son-in-law Tim, grandchildren Connor and Abigail, brothers Gary and Don, sister-in-law Janet, brothers-in-law Nick and Robert, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Edie Davidson.

A Celebration of Life will be planned for later this year for friends and loved ones in NY or NJ.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer's Association : https://www.alz.org/