Edmund A. Nowicki

Edmund A. (Zeke) Nowicki passed on Sunday, February 2, 2025, after a short illness surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born January 5, 1936, in Oil City, PA to the late Edmund and Mary Novicki. He graduated in 1953 from Oil City Senior High. He was an amazing father and husband, a great man, a kind and giving friend and neighbor who always helped without being asked.

After working for three years in the family bakery, he was drafted into the Army and served two years in Nuremberg, Germany. In 1960 he graduated from Alliance Technical Institute and moved to Erie, PA. While working full time, he attended nights and summers at Gannon College (now Gannon University) and graduated in 1966 with a BS in Industrial Management and in 1971 with an MA in Social Sciences. 

He worked at Hays Manufacturing for seventeen years in Engineering and Sales. Later he worked for twenty-five years at National Fuel in various positions, primarily as Director of the Energy Management Department. He was a pioneer in utility conservation and advocate for families needing financial assistance for heat and utilities. His specific processes for conservation were replicated throughout the country. He received recognition by the Public Utilities Commission, Oak Ridge National Labs, and ACEEE for developing and implementing quality, efficient, low income weatherization programs. He retired at age 75 in May of 2010. 

He played in various softball leagues for nearly fifty years including industrial, slow pitch, modified, and since 1999 as an original and founding member of the Erie Codgers. He had the namesake team of “Zeke’s Zombies”. 

He was brilliant and often successfully pursued new challenges and passions. His great love of family, sports, and being the funniest man in the room naturally were his lifelines. His interests included reading, gardening, crossword puzzles, sudoku, learning, playing sports, and all teams Pittsburgh…the Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins, along with Buffalo Bills if Steelers weren’t playing. 

He also saved many lives by being a fifteen-gallon blood donor throughout his life. 

He is survived by his wife, Marilynn (Green) whom he married June 25, 1966; his daughter, Kathleen (Kitsy) of Raleigh, NC; his son, Daniel and his wife Shantel of Pittsburgh, PA; granddaughter, Hayden; grandson, Flynn; sister, Linda Morningstar of Columbia, PA; nephew, CJ Evers of Dunedin, FL; niece, Melissa Carlisle of York, PA as well as many cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Life held at Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc. Downtown, 602 W 10th St., in the spring. Details will be announced at a later date. 

Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice. 

Zeke was so loved by his family and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.