Mr. Edward Joseph Apalinski, Sr., 78, passed away peacefully on Monday April 19, 2021, surrounded by his loving family in New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, North Carolina where he received exceptional care from the skilled and comforting nurses and support staff of the CVICU.

Ed, the son of the late Nell Trzaska Apalinski and Joseph T. Apalinski, was born in Elizabeth, and then raised in Linden, New Jersey. Ed (nicknamed “Apples”) graduated from Linden High School in 1960 and was universally recognized as an outstanding athlete. Although he exceled in basketball and soccer, baseball became his true passion, a passion that continued throughout his lifetime.  His baseball career spanned his start in the Linden Recreation Grammar League as an elementary student through signing a professional contract with the Boston Red Sox to pitch in their minor league system in 1962. Ed was a dominating pitcher, adept first baseman, and powerhouse batter; highlights included a 6-0 start as a Freshman with 17 strikeouts in his very first game for LHS, a no-hitter as a Senior, and a .395 batting average. Ed was recognized for these accomplishments in baseball when he was chosen as MVP of the Union County Baseball League winning the Brophy Memorial Trophy and inducted into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame in January 1992 and the Linden Athletic Hall of Fame in April 2008. 

Ed proudly served his country in 1966 - 1967 in the US Army. Ed spent his professional career with Public Service Electric and Gas, beginning as an apprentice lineman in 1968, and literally “climbed” his way up to Operations Supervisor, and finally as Safety Coordinator for the Central Division at the time of his well-deserved retirement in 1996. 

Upon his retirement, Ed and Ruth created their new home in Sunset Beach, North Carolina where he was able to spend so much of his time bettering his already excellent golf game. Ed tried not to take life too seriously, but golf was an exception. He was a regular on the weekends at Galloping Hill Golf Course while still living in New Jersey and was thrilled to play many days a week once in Sunset Beach, and conquered as many of the area’s courses as he could. Ed sank at least 5 holes-in-one, earned the Sea Trail Men’s Golf Association Club Championship in 2006 and the Sand Piper Bay Golf and Country Club Championship in 2011. Ed felt blessed to have visited Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Augusta, and many other memorable courses. 

While at Linden High School, Ed met the love of his life, Ruth Etta Fullerton when he bravely asked her to his Junior Prom in 1959. Ed and Ruth just shared their 57^th wedding anniversary on March 7, 2021. Over the years together, they loved raising their children Eddie and Cindy, enjoying their faithful Labradors Elke, Katie, Cassie, and Maggie, traveling, playing golf, and spending time with their family and friends, especially their many adventures as the “Three Amigos” with Stan & Lynne, and Bren & Joanie. Of all his accomplishments professionally and athletically, Ed was most proud of his marriage and children, often describing them as the sunshine of his life. In his final years, he declared his goal to be to make as many people smile as he could. All those who knew him or crossed his path would surely agree that he exceled in doing so, and his smile will be sorely missed. 

In addition to his parents, Ed was also predeceased in death by his brother, Joseph Apalinski. 

Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth Fullerton Apalinski; his cherished son, Edward Joseph Apalinski, Jr.  and his partner Jennifer Noblejas; his adored daughter, Cynthia Ruth Apalinski; his cousin Paul Ann Jaskula and her family; his goddaughters Lori Baykowski Menzo and Jennifer Fullerton; his faithful best buddy Lab, Maggie; and his many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

A viewing will be held from 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M., Friday, April 23, 2021 at Brunswick Funeral Services, Shallotte, North Carolina. A church service will be held at 9:00 A.M., Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Calabash Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The service will be live-streamed and the event can be found on this website https://www.calabash.church.

by clicking on the “Live Stream” link found on the middle left. Please follow social distancing and masking during the gatherings.

On line condolences may be sent to www.brunswickfuneralservice.com. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Ed’s favorite charity St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 would be appreciated. More importantly, the family asks that you think of “The Big Guy” with a smile on your face when you enjoy a good glass of red, take in a Mets game, sing a favorite Billy Joel song, sink an amazing putt, or work in your garden.