Obituary of Edward J. “BoBo� McQuaid

Edward J. (BoBo) McQuaid Was a man who devoted a large portion of his life to helping children in many different ways. His lengthy career in labor was distinguished by service to his union brothers and sisters in a variety of posts, and he chaired the board of directors over seeing our countrys social services for 25 years. Edward BoBo McQuaid was born and raised just across the river in Philadelphia. After attending Northeast Boys High school, he later became a meat cutter, a trade he worked at for 27 years. Working his way up from the rank and file, he assisted his fellow workers at various times as a shop steward, a union trustee, and an organizer. He was a charter member of local 56. He went on to serve as an international representative with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen-UFCW for 15 years, and as chief executive officer of local #72 in Wilkes-Barre for 5 years. In order to better serve his fellow workers, he attended classes at George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Maryland. He was chairman of local #56 Retirees Club, and has long been a mainstay on the phone banks helping elect friends of Labor to public office. BoBos services to his community ranged far beyond his 25 years of service on the Board of Directors for the Camden County Board of Social Services. Children have always held a special place in his heart; he is a former member of the Somerdale School Board of Education and a past president of Somerdale Parents-Teachers Association, as well as a former Cub Scouts troop leader. He was active in the Variety Club, which conducts fundraising events to benefit programs for disabled children. From his early days on the streets of Philadelphia, BoBo McQuaid has been a man who could be counted upon to do what had to be done for the greater good of all. He worked tirelessly to hold high the banner of Labor and fight for rights of his union brothers and sisters. He worked to ensure that our communitys children receive a proper education, and that those children suffering from physical limitations might face the future with hop, not despair. He has been, by anyones standards, a true humanitarian. Anyone of his accomplishments has earned him enough respect to be addressed as Mr. McQuaid, but those who knew and loved him will always think of him as BoBo. BoBo and his wife Roberta were wed 56 years ago and lived in South Jersey ever since, first in Clementon, and then in Somerdale. They have four children, Roberta P. McQuaid-Monou of Barrington, Mary Jane McQuaid of Erial, Dennis M. McQuaid of Erial and Jennifer A. McQuaid of Somerdale. a grandchild, Matthew Monou of Barrington. He is also survived by his brothers, Daniel McQuaid of Mt. Laurel and Joseph McQuaid of Melfa, VA and a sister, Anna (Nancy Klady of Erial. And numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, 10:00 to 11:00am at the LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home, 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ (856)767-0539. A memorial service followed by a family eulogy will begin at 11:00am. Cremation was private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Variety Club International, 1520 Locust St., 2nd. Floor, Phila, PA 19102.would be appreciated.