Edward R. Horn Jr. (7/8/1931 - 10/24/2020)

    Edward worked at Sun Ship in Chester as a paint shop Manager, night shift Superintendent and Project Engineer. After the ship yard closed, he finished his career working for First State Chemical/Noramco as a Facility Maintenance Supervisor. Edward proudly served in the US Naval Reserves for 20 years.

He loved blue grass music, playing his banjo, wood working and restoring his beloved antique 1924 Brockway and 1931 AA US Mail truck. He was a proud member of the Historical Car Club of Pennsylvania and the Antique Automobile Club of America.

Memories of Edward Horn Jr.  (Written by Bob and Diane Rule with redactions) 

 “Big Ed”, as Dad was known was a remarkable man. He was a 20 yr veteran of the Naval Reserves. He worked at Sun Ship as Paint shop Manager, night shift Superintendent and a Project Engineer. He took us all down to see the USS Hope Medical ship that he had done work on at the shipyard. When the shipyard closed, he went to work for First State Chemical/Noramco as a Facility Maintenance Supervisor. 

When he retired, he and Mom would travel around in their fifth wheel camper. He loved to go to Blue Grass concerts and would travel all over enjoying them. Their biggest trip was to the west coast and back. I know they are good memories for Mom. He was a hardworking man when we were children and seemingly there wasn’t anything he couldn’t build, fix or do. Anyone who built an addition to his house and dug their own septic tank and drain field by hand, passing the dirt out one bucket at a time can only be described as “hard working”. This work ethic was passed onto his children and is his legacy. One of our favorite memories’ is of the monorail he constructed in our side yard in Glen Mills. We had so much fun riding it up and down the hill with the goal being to have enough speed at the bottom to kick off the attachment tree and propel yourself back up the hill as far as possible.

 We have great memories of him in the winter towing all our sleds around in the snow using the tractor. Our summer barbeques with extended family and friends and swimming in our 3-foot swimming pool are also cherished memories. Raking leaves was an annual ritual as was the fight to see who would get to drive the tractor and not have to drag the tarp loaded with leaves into the woods. It seemed a never-ending task in the fall. Despite long hours worked to provide for his family, Dad found time to build Soap box derby and pine wood derby cars, furniture, kitchen cabinets and toys for his grandchildren and just about anything else imaginable including bringing back to life antiques trucks. 

Dad decided to put his woodworking skills to the ultimate test when he began the restoration of a 1924 Brockway, Model E truck in 1998. Six years later, the restoration turned out to be an absolute masterpiece in every way. The Brockway went on to win numerous local and national awards, including one at the Fontana speedway in Fontana California. Thinking he was done, at that point, when at a National show in Auburn Indiana, he saw a 1931 US Mail truck for sale. He decided that once again he was up to the challenge of another woodworking project. He acquired the Mail Truck in Lock Haven Pennsylvania and upon picking the truck up discovered that it was in pieces and the wood was in total disrepair. He proceeded to turn a pile of junk, ten years later, into another masterpiece that also went on to win numerous local and national awards. The only difference between the two trucks was, that by far, the Mail truck was the most difficult and challenging project he had ever completed. Both trucks, someday, are worthy of their place in a museum so everyone can enjoy the history behind them and the craftmanship that went into these restorations.

 As a young man, Dad lost his ring finger while jumping over a chain link fence. This provided great entertainment to our childhood friends who would unsuspectingly be lured into looking at his wiggling missing digit, followed by howls and screams. Dad loved it! He always wanted to play the banjo, due to that missing digit he had to learn how to play left-handed. He made 2 beautiful Dulcimers for Mom and she learn to play. Also treasured memories for Mom. As I said there wasn’t ANYTHING he couldn’t do.  He loved his children, was so proud of all his grandchildren and was thrilled to have great grandchildren, he loved them all. We were fortunate to have known him as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. We love him and will miss him greatly.