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Edward Joseph Kotoski, Jr.

Age 94 of White Bear Lake, MN
Loving Father, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa

Edward was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 10, 1922. He was the son of Emma Mildred (nee Wermus) and Edward Joseph Kotoski, Sr. His family moved to White Bear Lake where he graduated from White Bear High School. He was recruited by many teams for his tremendous athletic skills in baseball. After spending time in the minor leagues, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. There he met the love of his life, Avis Geneva Ballou, his “Diamond from Rhode Island,” who was also in the Coast Guard. The two were married on October 28, 1944 in New York City, New York. They moved back to White Bear Lake where they began building their home and raising their family. Upon being discharged from the service, he resumed his job with TC Field Insurance Company where he displayed an extraordinary work ethic as he worked his way up from chauffeur to treasurer over 43 years with the company. He and Avis were charter members at St. Pius X Catholic Church in White Bear Lake and his devotion was very evident through his faith and daily prayers. Edward coached baseball teams his boys were involved in and was instrumental in establishing the Babe Ruth League in White Bear Lake. Everyone knows Dad’s favorite sports team was the Minnesota Twins and he was a very dedicated fan. In the late Sixties, he decided to purchase a houseboat on the St. Croix River and the family spent summer weekends on it. It was in this setting that he was able to give his children unique experiences on the river which created life lasting memories for them. Our loving and generous father and grandfather, Edward, who possessed a sense of integrity and fairness, will be remembered for his sharp wit, amazing memory and active interest in all our lives and especially his loving devotion to his beloved wife, Avis. Having founded the Institute of Temporary Fixes, he will be remembered for his knowledge of Alternative Mechanical Engineering!
Edward passed away peacefully at his home on March 28, 2017, while surrounded by his loving family. He will be dearly missed by his children, James (Linda) Kotoski, Donald (Joleen) Kotoski, Richard (Kathleen) Kotoski, Phillip (Gail) Kotoski and Susan (James) Tobin; grandchildren, Kali Kotoski, Weston Kotoski, Ariana (O’Brian) Baxter, Andrew (Amy) Kotoski, Molly (Jason) Kortan, Erin (Anthony) Barnum, Daniel, Annamarie (Jovani) Morales, Edward Kotoski, Elizabeth Kotoski, Michael (Angel) Tobin, Anthony Tobin and Timothy Tobin; and great-grandchildren, Ellianna, Brendan, Connor, Ryan, Ailish, Mara Geneva, Jackie, Aden, Janel, Angelo, Adrian, Miguel, Isabel Avis, Alissa, Lia, Addison, and Lauryn; and many other family and friends. Preceded in death by wife, Avis Geneva Kotoski; parents, Emma and Edward Kotoski, Sr.; and brothers, Eugene and Clarence Kotoski.
Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00PM on Monday, April 3, 2017 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00AM on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at St. Pius the X Catholic Church, 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake. Visitation one hour prior to Mass at church. Interment, Rutherford Cemetery in Stillwater.