Edward Pulver, a longtime Jersey City resident and community leader, died May 26. He was 78.
Last week, city officials, residents and union colleagues reflected on the caring pro-active nature that Pulver had left behind.
For the past 40 years, Pulver represented the labor interests of merchant marines as the international vice president of the Seafarers International Union. Aside from SIU, Pulver was also very active in the Hudson County Central Labor Council, an organization that he helped found, and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.
“Ed was a union man all the way, but he was committed to helping everyone, not just union members,” said Jordan Biscardo, an SIU spokesperson. “He was a true salt-of-the-earth person, a wonderful guy.”
Born and raised in Jersey City, Pulver spent a lifetime servicing the country, community, and a host of charitable causes. During WWII, he served in the U.S. Army.
In his early career, Pulver was a tugboatman, eventually leading him to the SIU. The organization represents laborers working on any vessels ranging from tugboats to thousand foot-long military support ships.
In addition, Pulver also served as a community leader, helping establish many organizations for Jersey City’s diverse ethnic population and serving on the board for others.
For 15 years, Pulver was the president of the Hudson County SPCA.
“He was interesting man,” said Tom Hart, former executive director of the SPCA. “He was a real man’s man. But what I found in my relationship with him is a very soft side.”
Hart said that Pulver had been dramatically affected by the death of a good friend during the attacks on the World Trade Center. “He was never the same after Sept. 11,” Hart said. “He called me up and asked if I would take some of his thoughts and put them into a poem about her. I did that, put it in a frame, and matted it for him.”
“He was a man that cared,” said Harriet Hughes, a longtime SPCA board member. “Anyone could go to him with anything and he would listen.” Hughes recalled begging Pulver to take over the vacant presidency in the SPCA many years ago and being delighted when he accepted.
“Ed Pulver was always straight,” Hughes said. “He was really diplomatic without hurting your feelings.”
Pulver also served on the boards of other community-based organizations such as the Filipinos And Americans As One and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.
Aside from his appointments to numerous boards, commissions and blue ribbon panels, Pulver was known for his philanthropic side as well.
He was the chairman of the Rudy De Angelo-Edward BH. Pulver Cancer Foundation, raising money each year to help find a cure. Furthermore, he established a scholarship fund for local students.
“He had a scholarship fund,” Hughes said. “He didn’t look for the A student. He looked for the B student. He dealt with the schools and said don’t send me the best. Send me the next to the best. That’s the type of guy he was.”
Being an active member of the Democratic Party, Pulver served as a delegate in several Democratic National Conventions. Although he lived in Bayonne for the past 35 years, he was forever intertwined with Jersey City affairs. Former Jersey City Mayor Anthony Cucci said Pulver was dedicated to politics.
“As far as politics,” Cucci said, “he was running forums which gave candidates a platform to publicly express themselves before it became popular.”
Pulver actively participated in the elections by campaigning for candidates he supported, Cucci said. “I had his support in many elections,” Cucci added.
He is survived by his daughters Barbara Morrison, Linda Largmann, Jean Pulver, Carol Bransky, and Mary Ann Tobey; his brothers Frank and Jean; and his 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.