Edgar Allan Roll of Warren, formerly of Westfield, Mountainside and Basking Ridge, died peacefully on April 30, 2018, surrounded by his devoted children and grandchildren. He was born in Elizabeth, NJ on February 5, 1929, the only child of Juanita and John Roll, and grew up in Union, NJ. Ed graduated from The Pingry School in Elizabeth, where he formed and captained their first golf team, and was inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.
At Syracuse University, he majored in American Studies, was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and was captain of their golf team as well. He married his college sweetheart, Lucille Krayenhof Roll, in 1953. Ed was a man of many interests.
An accomplished pianist, he was a lifetime enthusiast of classical music, especially Gustav Mahler. His business travels offered him the opportunity to attend performances of every major US city’s orchestra. By age 9, he was accompanying his father to the golf course and soon took up the sport himself.
He quickly distinguished himself and qualified for numerous NJSGA Junior and Amateur tournaments and state opens. He competed on the Metropolitan Golf Association circuit for many years and was considered one of the top golfers in the tri-state area. His only hole-in-one was scored at Suburban Golf Club where he also held the course record (66) for several decades.
Ed’s massive scrapbook started by his mother, was featured in Met Golfer Magazine and chronicled his 70+ year career playing 205 courses across the country. For over 40 years Ed and his family were members of Echo Lake Country Club where he won two club championships and served on the Board of Trustees and Greens Committee. He also was club champion at Maplewood GC, NJ and Castle Shannon GC, PA.
Ed enjoyed a long and successful career as a marketing and management executive. He was Circulation Sales Director and Board Member of Dow Jones & Company, and was appointed Executive Director of the Dow Jones Open, a PGA tour event at Upper Montclair GC. Ed was also President of the Advertising Research Foundation and Senior Account Manager for Gallup and Robinson, Inc
He was Chairman of the Direct Marketing Association and served on the Board of Trustees at Elizabeth General Hospital and the Alumni Board of Trustees at The Pingry School. When semi-retired, he and Lu worked together at Coldwell Banker in Westfield. Ed and Lu were unwavering Syracuse basketball fans.
They also enjoyed traveling, concerts at Lincoln Center, lecture series, socializing, gardening, spending time with their family, and especially golf. Ed was admired for his strength, honesty, work ethic and positive outlook. He loved to reflect on the richness and diversity of his life’s experiences, and considered himself truly blessed.
His family was immensely proud of him and will carry his memory in their hearts forever. Ed was predeceased by his wife Lucille on December 26, 2017. He is survived by his children Dorian Roll (Charles Schweitzer), John Roll (Paula), Marcia Reilly (James), and Christina Mahoney (Jeffrey).
He was “Grandpa” to grandchildren Meredith Porri (Daniel), Katherine Roll, Christopher Reilly, Patrick Reilly, Brian Reilly, Max Mahoney and Molly Mahoney, and great-granddaughter Cecilia Rose Porri. Visitation is Friday, May 4, 2018, 4-8 pm at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home in Westfield. Interment at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia is private.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honor Ed’s memory, please consider donating to The Pingry Athletic Fund (Boys Varsity Golf), c/o The Pingry School, 131 Martinsville Rd, Basking Ridge NJ 07920, or to The Men’s Basketball Head Coach’s Fund c/o The Athletic Association of Syracuse University, 820 Comstock Ave, Syracuse NY 13244.
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