Edward C. Kaps

Edward C. (Casimir) “Cosmo” Kaps, almost 90, journeyed from Fountain Hills to Heaven on Feb. 5, 2015.

Born in Joliet, Ill. on Nov. 8, 1925, Ed’s life mission was to build relationships.

He graduated from St. Thaddeus, Joliet Catholic High and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 serving as a radioman in WWII aboard the USS Independence aircraft carrier.

He was an active community member in Joliet, Ill. at St. Ambrose Church and married to Doris Rose Knudtson Kaps for 42 years.

Ed received his bachelor’s degree at the age of 50 from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. and retired from General Motors, Electro Motive Division, McCook, Ill. in 1988 with 41 years of service rising to the director of industrial relations.

Ed spent his retirement years advocating for men with prostate cancer as one of the founding members of US TOO and director emeritus, traveling one million miles across the U.S., Canada, England, France, Germany, Japan, Turkey, Australia, representing US TOO and the American Urological Association (AUA).

US TOO International President Tom Kirk said Ed “personally made a positive impact on so many; and through his work was the impetus for reaching thousands of people in the prostate cancer community with a message of hope that was grounded in the empowerment of knowledge.”

Ed was on the Board of Directors of the America Foundation for Urological Diseases and was chairman of the Arizona Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.

Ed is a 38-year survivor of prostate cancer and myasthenia gravis. Ed turned his limitations and challenges into an opportunity to make a difference.

He was a member of the VFW Post 7507 and American Legion Post 58, Fountain Hills, and the Club.

He is preceded in death by parents, Casimir and Josephine (Fronczek) Kwapisz; sister, Rosemary Beauregard; nephew, Michael Calahan.

He is survived by loving partner, Jean Wood; son, Jack (Carlene); daughter, Patti (Kerry) Bahnick; grandchildren, Rebecca (Tom) Dewbray, Sarah Kaps, Randi (Tyler) Johnson, Douglas (Ashley) Bahnick, Kyle Bahnick, Jonathan (Jill) Bahnick, Brandon (Val) Hayes, Mitchell, Emily, Steven (Amanda) Wood.

His adopted family, Janine, Kurt, Mitch, Sheila, Jim and Dena Wood; great- grandchildren, Jack, Charlie, Nora, Reid, Sloan, Joshua, Gracelyn, Olivia, Kymani, Annabelle, Mya and Conor; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends.

Memorial masses are at Church of the Ascension, Fountain Hills, Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. and St. Francis Xavier, La Grange, Ill. Saturday, March 21, with visitation at 10 a.m. and mass at 11 a.m. Private interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Ill. at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to US TOO International or Arizona Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.