CDR Edward P. Gaskell, Jr., U. S. Navy (Retired)

CDR Edward P. Gaskell, Jr., U. S. Navy (Retired), age 96, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana passed away on April 25, 2024, just a few years short of reaching his goal of 100. 

Ed was born in Port Chester, New York and moved to Paris, France in 1932. He returned to the U.S. in 1940, but continued in French speaking schools, graduating from the Lycee Francais de New York in 1945. He attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York graduating in 1950. From 1950 to 1954, he served as a deck officer on merchant ships for the United States Lines. In 1954, he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Rankin (AKA-103/LKA-103), as the navigator. After his active-duty, Ed was accepted into the U.S. Naval Reserve Intelligence program and served in various staff positions including Admin Officer of the Headquarters Unit, Naval Reserve Intelligence Division 3-1, and finally as Executive Officer of Naval Contingency Group 3-1-9 in 1975. During his time in the Navy, he was awarded the National Defense medal, Expert Pistol Shot medal, and the Armed Forces Reserve medal. His service took him to many foreign countries including Germany, France, Spain, England, Australia, Korea, and Japan.

His professional career started when working for Union Carbide in 1956, as a tech writer and film producer. In 1961, he was hired by Equitable Life Insurance as the Manager of Corporate Relations. While working for Equitable he oversaw the Equitable exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. In 1985, Ed retired from corporate life to become a financial planner and finally retired to the South in 2012, to be closer to family - first in Virginia, then moving to Baton Rouge and finally New Orleans.

Ed was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Genevieve. 

He is survived by his son Edward P. Gaskell III (wife Elsa), grandson Edward P. Gaskell IV (Sarah), granddaughter Clare Gaskell (John); daughter Cecile Glendening (husband Bruce), granddaughter Julia Bankert (husband Eric), great-granddaughters Delany and Eve Bankert, granddaughter Anna Glendening; brother-in-law Paul Lamb (wife Natalia); cousins Peter Gaskell (wife Bernadette, three sons and four grandchildren), James P. Gaskell (one son and three grandchildren), Thomas D. Gaskell (wife Shari and one son), and Ken Schall.

Ed was a charter member of the Mills Pond PTA, Navy League, Navy Reserve Officers Association, and the Kings Point Alumni Association. He was a member of the VFW Post 395 in St. James, New York, Greater Baton Rouge Area Military Officers Association, and Baton Rouge Orchid Society. 

He was passionate about his French language ability, experiences there, and always felt he was a part of that culture. He did translation work for the Navy and was proud of his service. He passed on his love of sailing, taking the family on many adventures on his sloop the “Genevieve”. Ed also had a love of British sports cars owning an MG Midget, Triumph TR4 & TR6. He and his son loved working on them, and they participated in rallies & time trials, winning a rally in 1966. Ed enjoyed a good glass of wine and a sip of Calvados. Ed came to appreciate the culture in the South after living much of his life in New York, but always said the food was too spicy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Funeral Services at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.  A Visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Interment, with military honors, will follow at Louisiana National Cemetery in Zachary.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in honor of Ed Gaskell to the charity of your choice.

The Gaskell family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hospice Specialists of Louisiana and his caregivers Eluteria (Terry) Elow-King, Gisele LeBeauf, and Shawander Howard.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com