Slightly before midnight on April 9, 2025, a loving, humble, hard-working country boy, who grew into a strong and dedicated man, slipped quietly away, leaving a legacy of service to country, commitment to family, and enjoyment of life.

Edward Orlosky (Ed) was born on July 16, 1940, the son of Edward and Florence (Flo) Orlosky and grew up in Charleston, Pa, a little west of Mercer, fully enjoying the woods for exploring and hunting as well as going fishing and seeking out frogs with his younger brother, Jim. From this early on, Ed learned to enjoy and  love the simple pleasures of life, especially when shared with family. Ed liked to make life easy and take life easy even when it was not necessarily that way.

His love of country led Ed to serve in the military, joining the Navy during the War in Vietnam and becoming a world traveler, (later with that grin of his, telling people that he got to see the world and the government paid for it). Ed always appreciated opportunities to learn and have experiences that don't come along everyday like seeing Japan, Guam, and China. Ed was rightly proud of being a war veteran. Quite a change to go from working at a gas station to sailing around on the Pacific Ocean.

The most significant event for Ed after his service time happened at a Shenango Valley hot spot, Morgan's Chicken (later KFC) in Hermitage, where he met Pamela Joyce Wansor. The chicken may have been good, but that meeting was better, turning into a fifty plus year marriage that became the main focus of Ed's adult life. Their life together certainly was marked by a few downs (having their first home burn down because of a fire started by a neighbor and the passing of Ed's mom, brother Jim and sister-in-law Marge)  but  also by many ups (two great children—Eddie and Tammy, buying their forever home where they grew gardens and had many happy memories-- camping with the kids at Shenango Lake campground, watching the kids grow into responsible, caring adults--in short, taking life easy whenever they could). That country boy enjoyment of life, especially its simple joys, stayed with Ed most of his life; Ed was easy to talk to, easy to appreciate, and easy to love because he made others feel easy around him, with his funny giggle, his ready smile, his willingness to help out whenever needed.

Ed's life turned around quite a bit when his soul mate Pam passed away on June 4, 2024, a few weeks before her birthday. His life was never quite the same without his best friend, wife, confidant, and emotional centerpiece nearby. When Pam struggled with so much the last few years of her life, Ed remained constant in his commitment to her. Once Pam was gone, Ed found it hard to take things easy. There would be good days because the kids stayed close to Ed, but the joys could not temper the loneliness. A series of illnesses, a fall, consequent surgeries, time spent in hospitals and convalescent residences, took a heavy toll on Ed's spirits. Eddie lived with Ed for a while, and Ed spent time with Tammy and Scott, providing some happy times in his season of sadness. But, ultimately, what Ed wanted most was to be with Pam, to join his mother, brother, and others in eternal peace, being free and easy once again. So, he slipped quietly away.

Rest in peace, Ed. You were one great guy who knew how to enjoy life.

Ed is survived by children Eddie (Megan Green), Tammy (Scott) Mosely: In-laws Terry and Nancy Wansor; Jeff Wansor; Janice Krauss; Rob Krauss; Janet (Mark) Kotlarz: Nieces and Nephews—Lynna Wansor, Janeen (Eric) Osselborn, Charles (Jen Dameron) Wansor, Patrick (Candice) Wansor, Randy (Amy) Krauss, Dustin (Rina) Stout, Dylan Kotlarz

A graveside service and military honors will be held at Noon on Saturday (4/26/2025) at Oakwood Cemetery, 600 N. Oakland Avenue, Sharon, PA 16146.