Edward Mitchell

Ed Mitchell, 77, was born on August 23, 1947, to Albert and Blanche Mitchell (née Buczkowski) in Brooklyn, N.Y. He lived there until 1957 when the family moved to Northeastern Pennsylvania. He attended St. Ann's High School in Freeland, from which he graduated in 1964. He graduated from the University of Scranton in 1968 with a degree in Political Science after serving as Student Body President. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society.

Upon graduation, he embarked on a 14-year career on Capitol Hill, first working in the office of Congressman Daniel Flood, D-Pa. He served as a legislative assistant to the late Congressman Allard K. Lowenstein (D-N.Y.) and as an administrative assistant and press secretary to Pennsylvania Congressman Peter Kostmayer from 1978-1981. He was also a counselor to Congressman Paul Kanjorski, also of Pennsylvania. Prior to his service in Washington, Ed served as press secretary and communications director to Pennsylvania Governor Milton J. Shapp. Ed twice ran for Congress before starting his own political consulting business, Ed Mitchell Communications in 1981. In 1987, he returned to the Wyoming Valley, where he served local clients seeking positions in public service.

After politics, his other passion was baseball. An avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan who attended their games at Ebbets Field, he remained a loyal fan when they relocated to Los Angeles. He played Little League baseball as a youngster and played fantasy baseball as an adult.

Ed had a keen interest in the well-being of the people of the Wyoming Valley and contributed to local charities and causes that sought to alleviate food insufficiency, such as The Commission on Economic Opportunity and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Regional Food Bank, founded by his close friend, the late Gene Brady. In the same way, he supported the work of the Sisters of Mercy in their many efforts to accomplish similar purposes on behalf of the poor and those experiencing homelessness.

Ed is remembered by his family and friends as a loving son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and grand uncle, who was caring and extraordinarily generous. He was a big-hearted man, who accomplished extraordinary things in ordinary ways. He never forgot his own humble beginnings in Brooklyn and dedicated his entire life to helping those less fortunate than he was.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, and his beloved husband, Michael Anderson. He is survived by his brothers Alan (Julia A. Lamm) and Gary (Debbie Mitchell) as well as his niece, Cassandara Tregan, two nephews, Christopher Mitchell and Aidan Mitchell, a grand-niece, Bailey Tregan, and his cat Tigger.

Celebration of Ed's Life begins Monday, June 2, 2025, with visitation from 4 to 8 PM at McLaughlin's, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. It continues on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, with visitation beginning at 9 AM and followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola, 339 North Maple Avenue in Kingston.

Share memories and condolences, and view a live stream of the Funeral Mass at mjmclaughlin.com