Retired Montclair Police Chief Edward Giblin Dies

Written by Teresa Akersten

A four-decade member of the Montclair Police Department and retired chief, Edward A. Giblin of Caldwell, died on Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

Giblin was born and raised in Montclair. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Giblin served on the Montclair Police force for 41 years, and was chief from 1978 to 1993.

He was also employed for many years by the Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, and lived in Caldwell during the finals years of his life.

The Township of Montclair called Giblin the consummate "Montclair boy" in a statement released Wednesday: 

While we mourn, we cannot help but marvel at and take comfort in the storybook life that the Chief led: married to his sweetheart Joan Audrey for sixty years, large loving family, honored veteran, leader of his home church (Immaculate Conception), lifetime commitment to public service, and universal respect as a man and a gentleman in his hometown and, in fact, wherever he travelled.

Montclair will not likely see a man like the Chief again. We thank God that it was our privilege to know, honor, and love him for so many years.

Giblin is predeceased by his wife Joan Audrey and infant daughter Mary Elizabeth and survived by his children Deacon Edward (Patricia) Giblin, MaryAnne (John) Wojtal, Patricia (John) Herrmann, and Elizabeth (Patrick) Hyland. He was cherished Pop to Molly, Erin, and Eddie Giblin; Bridget, Mara and Monica Wojtal; Christopher (Denielle), Micaela, and Katharine Herrmann; Kerry, Brian, Meredith and Tara Hyland. He is also survived by a great-granddaughter Audrey Grace and brother-in-law Joseph A. Furfey.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park St., Montclair, NJ. A funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 30 North Fullerton Ave., in Montclair on Friday, Nov. 8, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) or to Immaculate Conception Church (30 North Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042), the parish where he was baptized and was a longtime trustee.