Obituary of Frank Osborne

F. Edward Osborne 1925 - 2014 Born in Oil City, Pennsylvania, Ed Osborne became one of Boise's most respected citizens, serving the community as a businessman, politician, civic leader, and beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He died peacefully in his home on March 3, 2014. Ed served in the Navy during World War II, and attended college on the GI bill, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1946. He spent over 40 years as a finance officer for H.J. Heinz and its subsidiary, Ore-Ida Foods. In 1952, Ed married the love of his life, Jeanne Parrish from Altoona, PA. Together they began an adventure that lasted 57 years, until Jeanne's death in 2009. In 1968 Ed moved with Jeanne and their four children to Boise. In addition to helping build Ore-Ida into a powerhouse, Ed volunteered much time to several organizations promoting health, wellness and education. For many years he served on the boards of the Boise YMCA, the College of Idaho, the Idaho Episcopal Foundation, Saint Alphonsus Hospital, Idaho Blue Cross, and the national Holy Cross Health Care system. His many awards include the St. Alphonsus Distinguished Citizen Award in 1991 and the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry Distinguished Service Award in 2001. He helped to found the Festival of Trees and other community fundraisers. When he retired from Ore-Ida in 1988, he promptly made a successful run for the Idaho House of Representatives, followed by a term in the State Senate. For all his success, Ed remained a humble man. (Jeanne had something to do with that, as did golf and singing.) An avid golfer, bowler, and tennis player throughout his life, Ed also enjoyed watching college and professional sports—often with a bottle of Iron City or Olympia in his hand. Ed's knowledge of baseball history was legendary. His stories of meeting Connie Mack, Joe DiMaggio, and other greats delighted his family and friends—and the oral historians at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown on his last visit there in 2011. Ed is survived by his four children—Steve, Carrie (Reed), Ted, and Jenny—and nine grandchildren. They and his many friends will miss his wisdom, humor, and unflagging good cheer. A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the All Saints Episcopal Church, followed by a celebration at Hillcrest Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Boise YMCA would be appreciated.