Obituary: G. Edward “Ed” Piala

Gaza E. Piala aka G. Edward “Ed” Piala at the age of 93 on Thursday, May 10, 2012. He was born June 13, 1918.

He is survived by three children, James (Catherine) Piala, John (Suzan) Piala, and Marilyn (Shawn) Harms, seven grandsons, a granddaughter, two great grandsons and his brother Joseph (Madelon) Piala.  Preceded in death by his wife, Mary, sister Emily (Ed) Mezerski, grandsons, David Piala and and a nephew Thomas Piala.

Ed graduated from Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee where he studied business administration and accounting.  He was a federal civil service employee for 37 years.  Thirty-one of these years he worked in Chicago for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Commodity Futures Authority.  He was a Deputy Director for the Accounting and Investigation Department.  Ed was a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps and held the rank of Staff Sergeant.

 After his retirement from the federal government, he helped Jim and Cathy Piala establish Piala’s Nursery and Garden Shop, Inc. in Waukesha.  For many years his personality with customers and his accounting experience made him a great asset for the business.

He was a kind, caring and generous father and grandfather.  He will be missed.  May he rest in peace.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, May 14, 2012, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2400 W. State Rd. 59 in Waukesha.  A funeral mass with The Rev. John Schreiter presiding will follow at 11 a.m.  Interment will be at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Cudahy. In lieu of flowers memorials will be accepted for St. John Neumann Catholic Church.