Edward C. Giombetti

Eddie, as he is know by all, was born in Jessup, Pennsylvania to Pietro and Virginia, who immigrated from Gualdo Todino, Italy. He is the youngest of 9 siblings. In his youth, he went to Jessup High school and could be found on the dirt patch baseball fields any time the weather would allow. Also as a child and young man, he helped his parents running a small one room market. During that time he acquired one of his longest lasting hobbies, picking wild blueberries and huckleberries. His parents would sell them for 5 cents a quart.

Like many others of his generation, living through and surviving the great depression, gave him a strong work ethic and in the sense of helping out others in need. After graduation, He briefly moved to New Jersey to work at American Type Founders, were he made mortar assemblies, the same ones he would later carry in combat. Upon his return from military service he met Helen Pauletti at a dance a block from his home, soon they were married. He was briefly employed by Mastrinani Construction and the Harry Giombetti Coal Company. Though he never was a miner, he worked in the breaker and worked as a mason building a dam at what became Lake Genaro Resort in Hamlin, Pennsylvania.

His love for baseball never ended and he was regarded as one of the best local pitchers. His trophies still adorn his living room. Nestor Cyhlock, one of only 10 umpires in the Baseball Hall of Fame, once introduced “Steady Eddie” as one of the best pitcher he ever umpired.
His skills earned him the opportunity to play a year of minor league baseball in Georgia. Where his sense of family obligations and witnessing the racism that plagued the deep south, left him home sick. Jessup and Helen were calling him back. As his baseball career ended he started his life long career with Daystrum industries, which later became Lockheed Martin, for nearly 35 years until he retired.

Eddie is the father of three children, his two living children still live within a hundred feet. Helen, the love of his life, of nearly 65 years passed away on Christmas day 2001. He has 2 grand children, 6 great grand children and 1 great-great grandson. 5 living generations.

His brother Pinno was also in the Army during World War 2, and was stationed in Hawaii. The stories they shared were always source of family laughter, while Eddie shivered in fox holes, his brother guarded pineapple fields. Until Pinno’s death they never missed an opportunity to bust each other about it.Around his hometown he is known for his baking and cooking. After the passing of his Helen, he became known for his fruitcakes. On some years, he would make over 300 fruitcakes, 7 at a time. He would sell them and donated any profits to a needy family or two each year. His fruitcakes have been shipped all around the world. Until recently, he maintained a large vegetable garden. Where he planted 50 or more zucchini and pumpkin plants, mainly to harvest the flowers. On every summer evening those flowers are battered and fried. Eddie still resides in the house where he was born.