Edward Charles Croal, Jr.

Edward Charles Croal Jr., 81 of Long Beach MS, passed away in his home on July 2, 2021, 11 years to the day after Stella, his wife of 47 years, earned her wings.  Ed is preceded in death by his parents and sister Bonnie Roquette. Ed is survived by his sister Marilyn Zoller, wife Cynthia, five children: E.J. Croal (Lori), Mike Croal, Theresa Frayer (Ed), Katherine Alvarez (Alberto), Chris Croal (Erin), and twelve grandchildren: Michael Croal Jr., Kelsie Croal, Emma Frayer, Svannah Croal, Brenton Croal, Natalie Croal, Samantha Alvarez, Megan Frayer, Lauren Croal, Haylie Alvarez, Leah Alvarez, and Eleanor Croal.

Ed was born in New Orleans on February 25, 1940 to Edward Croal Sr. and Marie Arceneaux.  He graduated from Francis T. Nicholls High School in 1958 and enlisted in the United States Navy where he served for four years aboard the USS Saratoga and the USS Woodson.  Ed worked for the Chrysler Corporation in Chalmette LA until moving his family of five to Pascagoula in 1969 when he began his career at Ingalls Shipbuilding. The family attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Elementary School.  It was in Pascagoula where Ed joined the Knights of Columbus and also developed his passion for soccer, coaching his young boys in the Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Organization.  With the opening of Interstate 10, Ed moved the now family of six to Gulfport in 1976 to be closer to their New Orleans roots. Ed and family attended church at St. Mary's in Woolmarket until the girls began attending St. James Elementary School and the family began a lifelong generational involvement with St. James Catholic Church. Seeing a need for a local soccer program, Ed was instrumental in starting the South Mississippi Soccer Club, and was an active board member, coach for all the children's teams, a state level referee, referee instructor and assessor. Transferring to the local Knights of Columbus Council in Gulfport, Ed's desire to form his children's faith led him to start the Columbian Squires chapter for boys with the Bishop Gunn KC Council.  As the St. James Parish grew in size, Ed fostered the formation of the St. James KC Council where he served in many capacities including Grand Knight. Ed found time to hone his skills as a master woodworker building everything from name signs to custom furniture and his famous Ed's Box Shop toy boxes. In addition to soccer and the KCs, Ed was a regular contributor to the Sun Herald's Letter to the Editor, never bashful about pointing out flaws of government and offering conservative solutions.  Ed's embracement of Facebook broadened his audience.

After Stella's death in 2010, Ed married Cynthia Menasco and moved to Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. In Arkansas Ed was a Faithful Navigator for the local Knights of Columbus 4th Degree.  Ed and Cindy  bought a motorhome and traveled extensively throughout the lower 48, volunteering and working at state and national parks. Ed and Cindy moved to Long Beach in 2018 where he lovingly restored their house near the beach throughout his battle with colon cancer. The family was blessed with the angels from Notre Dame Hospice during his final days and words cannot express our appreciation.

Services will be held Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport with visitation at 2:00, saying of the Rosary at 3:15,  Funeral Mass at 3:30 with a reception in the gym immediately following.

Ed and the family request donations in lieu of flowers be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy by following this link: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1356423

Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Croal family in their time of need. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.