Edmund T. Gmoch Jr.'s Obituary
Edmund T. Gmoch Jr. passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, following a series of prolonged illnesses. Ed was born on December 6, 1945, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Edmund T. and Mary Gmoch. He spent his childhood in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, until relocating with his family to Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Ed graduated from Bemidji State University (MN) with a degree in Education and immediately landed a teaching job in Deptford Township, New Jersey, where he enjoyed a career in public education until his retirement 34 years later. Over those three-plus decades, Ed grew to be admired and respected by his colleagues for his consummate professionalism, collegialism, and unwavering commitment to the field, while at the same time becoming beloved by his students for his motivation, inspiration, eloquence, and devotion to their successes in school and in life. In addition to teaching U.S. History to freshmen, Ed served as Advisor to the National Honor Society and, early in his career, directed plays at the middle school.
Ed was named Deptford’s Teacher of the Year, an honor he relished even more than his well-deserved school recognition as Best Dressed Teacher from his students and colleagues. In his spare time, Ed also worked as a waiter at New Jersey and Philadelphia restaurants, including Tall Pines and Deux Cheminees.
Ed loved vacationing in Provincetown, Massachusetts, during the summers, and later in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where he made many lifelong friendships. After retirement, he moved to Rehoboth and began a new, thriving chapter of life. In 2009, Ed joined the staff at Beach Essentials in Rehoboth Beach, where he fitted swimwear and styled both locals and summer visitors. Ever the fashionisto, Ed took great pride in selecting each season’s beach and social fashions for his customers. Many will best remember Ed for his impeccable fashion sense and iconic style.
Ed, regarded by many as the “Unofficial Mayor of Rehoboth,” always made people feel welcome, valued, and included in town. His captivating, radiant smile could light up a room, and his singularly distinguished voice wove colorful (often lengthy) stories for happy hour or dinner crowds lucky enough to be in attendance. Ed enjoyed visiting his favorite restaurants with friends almost as much as the restaurants enjoyed his patronage. He was envied for finding ways to secure the perfect time, table, and server, and for always being able to procure an “off-menu” dish in consultation with the chef.
Ed enjoyed gardening, the ballet, Broadway musicals and plays, concerts, travel, music, trivia nights, extravagant dinner parties, and socializing with his many friends. He loved movies. Each year, Ed attended—and often volunteered at—the Rehoboth Beach Film Festival. His love of cinema motivated him to watch every possible offering throughout the festival. During awards season, he set a goal of seeing each nominated movie prior to award night in order to be well informed when completing his personal ballot.
Ed was a devoted and devout man of faith and served for many years as a lector at Old Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and, in retirement, at St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Ed is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Richard L. Gmoch Sr. He is survived by a host of friends he proudly described as his family of choice, as well as his sister-in-law, Dolores (Dee) Gmoch, and nephews Richard L. Gmoch Jr. (Dawn), David Gmoch, and Christopher Gmoch (Monika Jakober).
Ed’s friends and family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Milford, Delaware, Zahna Harris-Imani, Diana Manter, and Delaware Hospice, Milford, Delaware, for the extraordinary concern, compassion, and tender care shown to Ed during the past two months.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Ed’s memory to Delaware Hospice and Dignity Philadelphia.
Please sign the tribute wall located on this website.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLOWERS DELIVERED ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026 BY 3PM. TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
What’s your fondest memory of Edmund?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edmund?
Share a story where Edmund's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edmund you’ll never forget.
How did Edmund make you smile?