Edgar Thomas Ajamie

Edgar Thomas Ajamie, known to the people who loved him as Ed, Honey, Eggs, Gino, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, and Uncle, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026, in his home of 56 years in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by his family.

Ed was born July 27, 1931, in Lockport, Illinois, to Thomas and Evelyn Ajamie, the fifth of six children. He was preceded in death by his siblings Ruth, Margaritte, and Teddy, who died in infancy, and by his brothers, Amil and James “Jim/Jimmy.”

He grew up above his father’s shoe store on State Street in Lockport, where a boyhood game of cracking Easter eggs earned him the nickname “Eggs,” a name that stuck with him for years. He worked as a bowling alley pinsetter at 12 and later in a factory as a hog ringer, jobs he liked to tell stories about for the rest of his life. After the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, Ed a standout athlete went on to study and play baseball at Phoenix College, and later attended Arizona State University.

In January 1951, with the Korean War underway, Ed enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Japan from 1951 to 1954, mapping telephone lines across Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Honshu. He made time along the way to see Kamakura, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, Nagasaki, and Tokyo. A serious car accident in 1954 left him hospitalized for nine months with severe injuries, and he spent the rest of his life managing the lasting effects with characteristic determination and humor. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

Ed built a full and varied career. He worked as a design draftsman before opening Gino’s Pizza in Scottsdale in 1967, later expanding to Tempe and in Tucson with his father-in-law. After nearly two decades in the pizza business, he worked for the U.S. Department of the Treasury and retired in 2013.

A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, Ed never lost his love of baseball or his memories of Wrigley Field and the 1945 World Series. He and Elaine loved to travel, visiting their children who were studying and working abroad in Belgium and England, and returned in 1999 to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in Pescocostanzo, Italy, Elaine’s ancestral hometown.

Faith, family and community were at the center of Ed’s life. He met his true love, Elaine, through his brother Amil and future sister-in-law Mary. Ed and Elaine were longtime members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Scottsdale, where all five of their children attended school and Ed served as President of the Men’s Club. He also taught CCD and was very involved with Gerard Catholic High School, where all five of his children graduated. Earlier, the family was active at Blessed Sacrament Church in Tolleson, where he taught catechism and volunteered with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He had a deep devotion to praying the Rosary and to Adoration of the Cross, practices that remained close to his heart throughout his life.

Survived by his wife of 67 years, Elaine (Casciato) and their five children, Tom, Theresa Labadie (Bill), Jean Marie, Jacqueline Labadie (Peter), and John Edgar; six grandchildren, Mary Helen (Austin), Joseph (Shannon), Daniel, Kayla, Malia, and Kaili; six great grandchildren, Anastasia, Marianne, Peter, Benjamin, Adelaide, Evelyn and Daniel and Matthew Dugan who are embraced as grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends who were part of his life for many years.

A family friend wrote this about Ed nature; ‘He did not read motivational books or listen to podcasts about how to improve his life. He did not need to learn or practice how to be grateful, humble and caring - he just lived it. He was born with a servant's heart, he always cared about others more than himself, he thoroughly enjoyed the life God gave him, and he showed us all how to be joyful and peaceful while working hard every day.’

Edgar Thomas Ajamie wrote his life story to his family and ended it with…

“What a wonderful life!!!”

Visitation: August 6, 2026, at 6:00 pm, with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.

Funeral Mass: Friday, August 7, 2026, at 10:00 am, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 7655 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Scottsdale, Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Hospice of the Valley.