Edward Francis Kurtzman, 88, of Garrettsville, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his home on October 4, 2023. He was born in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1935, to the late Francis and Eleanor Kurtzman.
Growing up, he used to ride his bike around various farms in the Hiram Rapids area, working as a farmhand, after his family moved from Kirtland to Hiram. He attended Hiram Elementary and High School. Shortly after high school, Ed explored employment opportunities with various employers, ranging from gas stations to construction companies, before eventually joining his father in the plumbing trade. In 1952, he met the love of his life, Beverly, who would become his partner throughout his long and fulfilling life. They married in 1954. Ed’s passion for cars led him to start his own auto collision repair shop with Beverly in 1965. As the demand for auto repair increased in Nelson Township, they relocated their business to Freedom, OH, and then to Liberty Street in Garrettsville, OH, next to the Ford dealership, establishing Colonial Auto Body & Glass. Colonial Auto Body served the community for 51 years until Ed’s retirement in 2016. However, Ed continued to restore and repair vehicles in the comfort of his own garage for the remainder of his life. Beyond his professional pursuits, Ed had a rich array of hobbies that brought him immense joy. He loved putting puzzles together and building model cars and airplanes, a testament to his patience and precision. His love for the great outdoors was evident through his frequent fishing trips on Lake Erie and Ontario, often aboard his own fishing boat. His collection of die-cast model cars reflected his enduring passion for automobiles, a passion further displayed through his meticulous restoration of antique automobiles.
He will be deeply missed by his his wife, Beverly Kurtzman (Angel); five children, Jeff Kurtzman, Jack Kurtzman, James Kurtzman, Roxanne Kurtzman, and Michelle (Brett) Pesicek; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Haas and Gloria Sellers, and many nephews, nieces, and friends. Ed was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jerry Kurtzman, and his brother, Norman Kurtzman.
Visitation was held on October 8, 2023. Ed was lovingly laid to rest at a graveside service on October 9, at Park Cemetery.
