Edward James Laguna

Edward James Laguna of Springfield, PA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 11, 2024 (Veterans Day).

Ed was born in Philadelphia on June 23, 1932. He grew up in Kensington and after graduating from Central High School he went on to Drexel University where he played lacrosse and soccer. He was in the ROTC and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration eventually earning certification as a C.P.A. He served his country as a Captain in the US Army from 1956 to 1961. 

In 1955, Ed married Edith (Misch) and they enjoyed 69 years of marriage. Together, they raised four children.

Outside of his accounting business, Ed pursued his real passion, officiating soccer and lacrosse games for over 30 years. He became somewhat of a local legend of Delco PIAA referees. He was also an expert handyman who could build and fix just about anything, and occasionally he would pick up his paint brushes and create many beautiful landscape paintings.

A life long fan of all sports, he avidly followed the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, Sixers and Union. He also kept up with Drexel athletics. He reveled in telling stories of watching the old time players for the Phillies, A’s, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers. He had Eagles season tickets when they played at Franklin Field.

Ed is survived by his wife, Edith (Misch), his four children Karen Hackler, Edward Laguna Jr., Valerie Virgilio and James Laguna, sons-in-law, Stephen Hackler and Samuel Virgilio, and a daughter-in-law Catherine Laguna. He was endlessly proud of his amazing grandchildren Philip, Lauren, Lisa, Emilie, Madeline, Veronica and Angelina. He cherished being “Popi” to his 6 precious great grandchildren, Nathan, Cole, Katelynne, Tyler, Allison and Ellie. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Edward Misch and his many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edna (Davis) Laguna and Julian Laguna and his brother, Julian Davis Laguna (1925-1944), who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country in WWII and his brother Albert Thomas Laguna (1927-2007), also a veteran.

There will be a service of celebration at 12:00pm on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Springfield. Visitation begins at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Matthew, where he was a member since 1967.

The family also requests that we all remember Ed by telling all our funny memories and re-telling his stories of growing up and watching sports.