Edward W Kane

Edward W. Kane, 89, of Johnstown, died on April 13, 2019. Born August 27, 1929 in Johnstown, son of James and Clara (Buettner) Kane.

Preceded in death by his parents, sister Frances Pierce, and Nina (Genovese) Kane, in 2006, wife of 54 years.

Survived by children Patrick, of Cape Cod, MA; Michael (Elizabeth Mayer), of Johnstown; James (Susan), of Pottstown; and Mary (David Stokely), of Arlington, VA; grandchildren:  Jason Kane (Kellie), Meghan Kane (Andrew Parrish), Sean Kane, Brandon Kane, (Nikki Schiavone), Molly Swift (Ryan), Bridget Kane, James Kane, Ellie Kane, Annabeth Stokely, Ben Stokely, and Drew Stokely, and great grandchildren Darien Strosnider and Camryn Kane, sister-in-law, Kay Genovese, Garden City, NY and many nieces and nephews. 

Ed was a 1947 graduate of Johnstown High School and attended UPJ. While attending UPJ, he worked, full-time, as a reporter for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. He enlisted into the US Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict and served as a Marine Corps correspondant (1953-55). After the war, Ed was a reporter for the Pittsburgh Press, and was a writer/editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal, where he was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1964 for a series on poverty. He went on to become the Press Secretary for the Governor of Indiana, and in 1971 returned to Johnstown and founded Mid State Associates, an advertising agency, which later became Kane & Company.  In 1977, Ed served as the communication director after the 1977 flood, and was instrumental in recruiting a number of national television performers, including the cast of All My Children, to give local performances in support of post-flood fundraising. He retired after 30 years, but didn’t put down his pen.  He thoroughly enjoyed writing columns for the Tribune Democrat and the Johnstown Magazine well into his eighties on topics from the history of Main Street to profiles of local residents. He was inducted into the Cambria County Business Hall of Fame in 2012.

Ed was very actively politically, and directed many local and regional campaigns.

Ed is a former Legion Commander of Post 712, American Legion, in Pleasant Hills, PA.  Over the years Ed was an active Johnstown booster.  He served as chairman of the Downtown Business and Professional Division of the Johnstown Chamber of Commerce.  He helped create the Christmas Village and the building of the Gazebo in Central Park with Mary Borkow.  Ed was influential in organizing the Johnstown Chapter of the Pitt Golden Panthers and the Johnstown High School Alumni Association.

Ed’s family would like to thank the members of the Harmonie Singing Society and Elks for their friendship and support, as well as the staff of The Villa Personal Care home for allowing him to continue his independent lifestyle and for their food.  Additionally, we would like to extend our gratitude to Flo Hale, of Windber, for their friendship and adventures together.

He will always be remembered for his wit, sense of humor, Grandpa jokes, love of family, Johnstown and the University of Pittsburgh. Ed was a devoted husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all.  He will be sadly missed. H2P!

Funeral services are private at his request. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Frank Duca Funeral Home, 1622 Menoher Blvd. Johnstown PA  15905.  A celebration of Ed’s life will be held next month.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Genovese Market Fund, 216 Franklin Street, Suite 400, Johnstown PA 15901 or to www.cfalleghenies.org in his memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward W Kane, please visit our floral store.