Edward Dee

Edward Dee, 95, of Elizabeth died Nov. 18, 2019. He grew up in London and immigrated to Elizabeth in 1949.

The founder of Smarties Candy Company, Mr. Dee started making the candy rolls in a small factory in Bloomfield 70 years ago. The business grew slowly and steadily, with headquarters and a factory now in Union, and a second factory near Toronto. Billions of rolls are produced each year. He is also the namesake of Edward & Sons Trading Co., and founded an international cellophane business called Northern Expediting, supplying wrappers to Smarties and many other candy companies.

More than 40 years ago, he passed Smarties down to his sons, and it is now run by his grandchildren. He remained chairman of the board until his passing, and continued to go to the office daily when in town, handwriting the day’s sales numbers into his ledger, including on the morning of the day of his death.

He graduated from Cambridge University.

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Predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Anita, he is survived by three sons, Jonathan (Margaret) of Scottsdale, Ariz., Michael (Marilyn) of Harding, and Joel (Alison) of Santa Barbara, Calif.; two brothers, Ronald of Stamford, Conn., and Leopold of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; his sister, Charlotte of London; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services were held Nov. 24 with arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinitas Health Foundation.