Edward Joseph Wisher

 Edward (“Eddie”) Joseph Wisher (aka, “Wish”) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania went to his eternal peace on December 18, 2018 at the age of 36.

Eddie was born on August 16, 1982 and resided in his treasured city of Philadelphia for most of his life. He attended the Jules E. Mastbaum High School, and subsequently worked for several years during his late teens and twenties at the Frankfort Umbrella Factory in Northeast Philadelphia. He also spent a number of years as a Production Supervisor at Volpe Tile & Marble in Paoli, PA, and at various entities among the food service and catering industries throughout Philadelphia.

Nearly everything that our beloved Eddie did and enjoyed in life was approached with exuberant zeal and enthusiasm. He was an exceptionally passionate fan of all the Philadelphia professional sports teams; his heart was with the Eagles and Flyers, and he simply lived and breathed all things Phillies and Major League Baseball.  MLB’s Opening Day was unfailingly among the main highlights of each of Eddie’s years, and you’d never fail to find him at the “Bank” for the Phillies’ home opener.  He worked for years at Lincoln Financial Field on Eagles game days and reveled in being part of the game-day energy. He also very proudly followed his grandfather’s lead as a loyal fan of the New England Patriots (and always took all of the anticipated responsive punches with spirit).  He was an avid sports card collector for decades, and was a fantasy sports guru with a boundless passion for sports statistics.  

Eddie had an extraordinary propensity for order and organization. His extensive t-shirt and hat collections (mostly 47 Brand) were unrivaled, always meticulously folded and organized according to color. He watched (and answered) Jeopardy as frequently as possible, adored the James Bond film series, Grumpy Old Men, and The Notebook (as well as the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name), yet never missed a week of the World Wrestling’s Monday Night Raw. He was also a lover of various musical genres and artists—from country to rock to rap and hip-hop, from Eric Clapton to the Beatles to Macklemore to Taylor Swift-- but was particularly moved by the work of Oasis and Noel Gallagher. He embraced the art of music to accompany him in his most joyous times, and also relied on it to guide him through his most trying days. 

Eddie loved what remained of his family and his circle of friends, and constantly sought to expand his world. He was intelligent, and he followed his intellectual curiosity via various means.  Though he wasn’t able to attend college or embark on much travel, he read books and magazines voraciously. He was a fan of NPR, especially Radio Times, as well as sports talk radio.   He loved to study history and was committed to learning something new each day.  He also worked continuously to develop his culinary skills. (He’d often spontaneously stop to dance in the kitchen amidst his work.) In his final months, Eddie had been journaling and creatively writing, amassing a collection of work that he hoped to eventually make public as way to inspire and support others who shared a similar life experience.

Eddie was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Edward Joseph and Mary “Helen” Wright, who dutifully stood in the roles of loving and stable parental figures for much of Eddie’s childhood. As an adult he would frequently stop to reflect in gratitude for their positive influence on his life. His grandfather, with whom he shared the nickname “Eddie”, died in 2005 and was his role model and hero. Eddie was also preceded in death very abruptly and unexpectedly in 2012 by his mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Wright, for whom he grieved deeply throughout his own final years.  Eddie was also predeceased by his father, Michael Wisher, who he hardly had an opportunity to know. 

Eddie had a son, Anthony Moore of Philadelphia, who was born in 2001.  From late 2008 through early 2013 he was married to Michelle (Krass) Skibinksi, with whom he fathered twin daughters, Colette Shay and Josee Theresa Wisher, who were born in 2012 and now live in Chalfont, Pennsylvania.

Eddie is survived by his sister, Christine Wisher, and five nieces and nephews.  His survivors also include his lifelong and steadfast friend, Doug Deininger, who shared a brotherhood with Eddie through decades of life’s laughter, trials, and celebrations. Eddie will also be missed each day in perpetuity by his partner and closest companion, Kara Badyna. He also leaves behind various friends with whom he bonded through the fellowship of recovery support.  Eddie also had an estranged brother, an aunt, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends, old and new, from various places and phases throughout his time in this mortal realm.

When Eddie--the uncompromised and true Eddie--was healthy and well, his energy and light were truly infectious. His most joyous days were those during which he could elicit multiple laughs and smiles from friends, coworkers and strangers alike--with a (typically inappropriate) joke, a song, a startling comment that would inevitably leave you shaking your head…and laughing.  Eddie quite effortlessly energized a space with his humor and elevated the mood of those in his presence. He also had an aptitude for being remarkably disarming; his charm could be irresistible, and he had the natural capacity to make you feel like the most exalted and respected person in the world.  He added color to the world, and he constantly sought to add more vibrancy to the days and lives of those around him. Being loved and befriended by Eddie was truly a gift, and it’s one for which we will be forever grateful.

When Eddie loved, he loved very deeply; when he was hurting, his emotional pain reached equal extreme depths.  Like both of his biological parents and other members of his close family, Eddie suffered for years from the chronic, paralyzing, and cunning medical and behavioral disease of substance use disorder. It was that disease which ultimately took Eddie from this world; however, the true underlying cause of his passing was the absence of his children. He endured a heavy, broken heart each day for several years that stemmed from his inability to see or communicate with his son, Anthony, and his young twin daughters, Colette and Josee.  Those closest to Eddie cannot help but wonder the extent to which his life’s course would have diverged had he been given the opportunity to be a loving father to his children in the way he so desperately wished, and particularly, had he been able to find a purpose greater than himself through a bond with Colette and Josee, who he missed more profoundly with each and every passing day. 

Because we knew that it’s what Eddie would have wanted, his organs were donated to Gift of Life Program. His left kidney, right kidney, heart and liver were each received by a man in his thirties, forties, fifties and sixties, respectively. Through these donations we hope that Eddie’s light may continue to shine for another entire lifetime, that his gifts will continue to bring joy directly to their recipients, and exponentially so to each of their respective tribe of loved ones.

Above all things, Eddie sought to feel worthiness and belonging, and to live a life filled with love. He continuously searched for hope in a world that was often chaotic, and constantly strove to find – and in turn, share -- happiness and light.  Our hearts are undeniably broken because he’s no longer with us, but we hope to find solace in knowing that now, Eddie’s radiant light is eternal.

May all of those who battle daily with substance use disorder find the strength, empathy, and network of support that are necessary to overcome. May they shed the stigma and judgement that are so freely cast upon them by the apathetic and uninformed.

May our beloved Eddie be surrounded for all time by light, acceptance, forgiveness, and love.  Above all, may he be filled eternally with the love of self that eluded him for far too long.

Eddie’s memorial and the celebrations of his life were held privately (but the next time you’re at a game or show at the Linc or the Bank, be aware that a part of Eddie is literally there with you).  Anyone wishing to donate in his memory are encouraged to make a contribution to The Broad Street Ministry at https://www.broadstreetministry.org/donate-now/.