Edward A. Cox 1937-2023

Ed was born, raised and lived a full life in the town he loved so well — Youngstown. Ed grew up on the South Side and attended St. Patrick Elementary and Ursuline High School (1955). He was a graduate of The Ohio State University and the University Akron School of Law (1967).

Ed, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, was a prominent attorney and a judge on the Seventh District Court of Appeals, for 18 years.

Ed had so many passions in his life including: Reading. He read thousands of books in his lifetime but not one self-help, which according to him wasn’t needed; Live theatre, musicals and singing. He performed in many shows, including “Showboat” at Ohio State, and he was known to break out in an occasional “Danny Boy” with his two brothers, Tom and John; Painting. Some were even good enough to hang on the walls of loved ones; Horse racing. Ed’s accuracy in picking horses was very similar to his longevity prediction; Politics. Perhaps his favorite pastime was debating the politics of the day with his brothers and friends. We are saddened to report he was unable to fix Washington; Chocolate. A connoisseur of dark chocolate creams, he finally found his favorite after 85 years in Marie’s Candies of West Liberty, Ohio.

Ed had a plethora of accomplishments in life including: AOH Irish Man of the Year, 1987; Past President of Division 6 of the AOH; Buckeye Elks Man of the Year; Chair, Jimmy Carter’s presidential election committee in the Mahoning Valley; Delegate to the Democratic National Convention, 1976. He also helped start Steel Valley Homes for Youth and Leonard Kirtz School for children with developmental disabilities and chaired a Youngstown City Schools levy campaign.

Ed was there to help so many friends and family over his lifetime. He had a life of significance and made a positive impact in this world, especially in his hometown that he loved so dearly.

To one he was husband, to a few he was Dad, to many he was Eddie and to the public he was Judge; but to his grandkids, he was Papa Chocolate, and he will be so dearly missed for many generations!

Ed was preceded in death by his son, Edward (Ted) Cox; brothers, Jimmy, John and Tom; sisters, Marietta (Murph) Pearl and Peggy (Russ) Hewitt; brother-in-law, Jimmy Desmond; and nephews and nieces, Maureen Hewitt, Janelle Desmond, Russell Hewitt and Bryan Hewitt.

Ed is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Lee Desmond Cox, who’s loving care for 59 years was the only way he survived to age 86! He also is survived by his sons, Dr. Matt (Dr. Amy) Cox of Ladera Ranch, Calif., and Jim (Faye, JD) Cox of Marysville, Ohio; and bonus daughter and son, Rose and Terry Silberman of Smyrna, Tenn.; grandchildren, Aidan, Keira, Kaleb and Caroline; his sisters-in-law, Melanie and Della Cox, both of Youngstown, Dianne (Bob) Bergquist of Concord, N.H., and Janet Braman of West Yarmouth, Mass.; brother-in-law, Jeff Desmond of Newport, R.I; nephews and nieces, Diane (Gary) Petruska, Jamie (Linus) Orr, Chrissy (Marty) Durkin, Dr. John (Leigh) Cox, Heather (Chris) Koch, Casey (Tim) Moore, Amy Wilson, Toby (Kim) Cox, Peggy Lynn (Terry) Phinney, Mary Hewitt, Bridget (Pat) Burns, Amy and Karen Bergquist, Michelle (Taylor) Powless, Melissa Carter, Brook Mazzur, Paige Mazzur, and Josh and Jeff Desmond.

The family will be hosting a celebration of life from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 30, 2023, at The MVR in Youngstown.

(special notice)