Edward John Batta

Edward John Batta, lifetime resident of Roseland, known to family and friends as "Big Ed", passed away on July 18, 2019. He was 82 years old.

Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in the Paul Ippolito-Dancy Memorial Home, 9 Smull Ave., Caldwell, NJ from 2 to 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, 28 Livingston Ave., Roseland, NJ. Interment will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Caldwell, NJ.

Ed was born on March 2, 1937 in Roseland. He attended Caldwell High School, where he met Ginny, his beloved wife of 57 years. He was the first in his family to attend college. Ed obtained his Bachelor's Degree in biology and chemistry from Villanova University. He served in the U.S. Army. Ed worked in sales for Ayers Laboratories, as national sales manager for Union Carbide, and then director of sales for Niagara Blower Co. He served on the Roseland Council and dedicated his volunteer efforts to overseeing the town's Recreation Department. In 1987, Ed and two close friends from Essex Fells Country Club purchased Plastinetics, a plastics fabricator in Towaco, where he worked as chief executive officer until his retirement. Ed also served on the board of directors of Annin & Co., the world's largest flag manufacturer.

In 1966, Ed became a member of Essex Fells Country Club. He was granted an honorary club membership in 2017. It was through golf that he established lifelong friendships and cultivated his passion for helping others in his humble and unique ways. Ed served as president of the New Jersey State Golf Association in 1996 and 1997 and as chairman of the Association's Caddie Scholarship Foundation for 35 years until December, 2016. He assisted in growing the foundation to one of the finest in the country. In 2011, Ed received the prestigious NJPGA/NJSGA Distinguished Service Award for his years of dedicated volunteer service to golf in New Jersey. In October, 2018, he was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame as a caddie administrator. Ed was larger than life and had a heart of gold to match. He never ceased to amaze with his wit, charm, humor and generosity.

Ed was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary, his wife, Ginny, and siblings, James and Margaret. He is survived by his children, Susan and husband John; Lauren; Steven and wife, Maria; Virginia and husband Brian; and his loving grandchildren, Matthew Pierce, Alison Jane, Steven Ugo, Alexander Edward, Caroline Francesca, Jake Matthew, and Natalie Joy.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation, 3 Golf Drive, Suite 206, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, would be greatly appreciated.