Edward Charles Gerstner, Sr., age 83, passed away on July 4, 2023, after a prolonged 21-month stroke rehabilitation.  Ed was born on January 21, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Edward and Ethel (Pellman) Gerstner.  Loving husband of 60 years to Alice (Kessen) Gerstner and devoted father of Ed (Tracey) Gerstner, Annette (Dave) Wassler, Dan (Susan) Gerstner, and Mark (Debbie) Gerstner.  Cherished grandfather of Megan, Ellen, Alden, Trevor, David (Wassler), Alison, Samantha (Wassler), Devin, Jackson (Wassler), Eddie, Joey (Wassler), Jacob (Wassler), and Josh (Wassler).  Brother of Rosemary (Dave) Danner and Tony (Maryruth) Gerstner, and brother-in-law of Dorothy (Tom) Stenger, Kathy (Tom) Huber, and Martha Kessen.  Preceded in death by his parents, brother Charlie (Terri), and sisters-in-law Rosemary (Al) Bruns and Agnes Kessen.

Born and raised in the close-knit community of College Hill, his life exemplified the values of community, commitment, and love for his family.  Ed began his career as a teacher at Covington Catholic, then moved to St. Margaret Mary in North College Hill as a grade school history teacher. This brought him back to his local community, where he loved instructing the younger generations of many people he grew up with.  As his family grew, Ed moved into the real estate business and again he focused on serving that same Colerain Township area where he grew up and lived. Ed never met a stranger, and it was a lifetime thrill when he regularly bumped into someone he taught in school or someone he worked with in real estate.  No matter where he went, he always ran into someone he knew.

He was very devoted to his Catholic faith evidenced by his active participation at St. Clare Church as a young man, St. Ann Church as an adult, and St. Ignatius Church as he grew older.  Ed was a proud graduate of Roger Bacon High School and Xavier University; he always supported his Musketeers.  He was an avid NCAA basketball fan and loved March Madness.  His greatest passion was following the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, and he never missed watching a game.  What he loved even more though was talking to you about the game the next day.  Ed was not a world traveler, rather he took great pleasure in connecting with his local community during his entire lifetime.  Ed was a genuine individual, and his outgoing personality will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mass of Christian Burial on Monday (July 10) at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 5222 N. Bend Road, Cincinnati, OH 45247.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society. Special condolences may be expressed at www.frederickfh.com