Ed Salmon: A Legacy of Courtesy, Kindness, Respect
By Margie Barham
Tucked away in a shoebox or scrapbook you may find a note from Edward H. Salmon. During his career as a coach, mayor, freeholder, state assemblyman, and businessman he sent out thousands of notes of congratulations to area residents who were featured in newspaper articles that acknowledge an accomplishment. Graduation, job promotion, service award… his note of pride and encouragement came in the mail attached to the clipping itself—just so you would have an extra copy.
I am honored to say I received a few of these mailings and it is the first thing I remember about him when I hear his name. Salmon is quick to give credit to his mentor and neighbor, the late Superior Court Judge Paul Porecca, who originated the idea.
With decades dedicated to public service in government, community, energy policy and advocacy, Salmon goes by many monikers. You may know him as Mr. or Dr., Coach or simply Ed. But however you may address him, his service to the community, to education, to advocacy, has earned him respect from both sides of the political aisle.
His life’s work and the man himself will be acknowledged on November 13 as he is one of five local leaders to be honored by the Hughes Center Honors at Stockton University. Salmon will receive both the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award and the Civility in Politics and Government Award for his contributions to New Jersey public life.
His ties to Stockton go back decades. Dr. Salmon worked with Stockton’s former president, Herman J. Saatkamp, and former U.S. Congressman and Ambassador to Panama, the late Bill Hughes to establish, build, and perpetuate through endowments the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton College. As the founder of the Hughes Center and its Advisory Board, Salmon served 15 years as its chairman.
A soft-spoken man with measured actions, thoughtful words, and a positive attitude, Salmon urges us during these often-contentious times to respect differences of opinion.
“Ride the positive road of life,” he says, even as he discusses some difficult times in this life. “Be kind, be courteous and be respectful.”
Despite his composed and refined disposition, his early years were tumultuous, difficult—even violent. Until the age of six, he was Edward Richard Herman who lived in the poorest section of York, PA. His father was abusive to him, his three siblings, and his mother, who was unable to protect her children. The neighbors tried to provide aid by helping to feed the family. Many times, they called the police, but the beatings continued until one day the man Salmon insisted on calling his “birth man” was arrested. With his mother unable to care for the four children—aged seven, six, two and one—they were placed in an orphanage. It was then that his Great Uncle James Salmon and Aunt Ruth, aged 60 and 58 respectively, adopted him.
He recalls: “I still vividly remember sitting in the lap of the Superior Court Judge in York and saying, yes, I would accept Ruth and James Salmon as my mom and dad!”
He was taken to his new home on Walnut Street in Lemoyne, PA, given a tricycle and permission only to go two blocks down the street to the home of Alma Groniger, a friend of his new mother. On the porch of that home sat Alma’s five-year-old granddaughter, Marilyn. Safe to say he was smitten and this chance encounter led to a lifelong relationship for these true “childhood sweethearts.” Sixty-one years later Marilyn and Ed celebrated their wedding anniversary at Historic Williamsburg, VA, where they honeymooned in 1964.
“I have been very blessed to share this lifetime with her,” Salmon said. The couple have four children, 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
What may strike you the most while talking with Ed Salmon is his calm demeanor and his positive attitude. These traits have served him well with challenges in his life that involved his passions and professions as basketball coach, mayor, and NJ BPU commissioner.
Basketball and family—
Back row, from left: Grandkids Miriam, Lulu, Joshua, and Lupita.
Center: Daughter Vivian, wife Marilyn and Ed Salmon, daughter Kris.
Front: Grandson Eddie.
Salmon prevailed during some contentious and difficult times and today considers even these instances to be blessings, thanks to support from his community, colleagues, and even political opponents. He is keenly aware and grateful for his blessings, and it has been his faith and optimism that guides him.
“Every day can be a learning experience,” he says, “even and especially during difficult times.”
With all his accomplishments in business, politics, policy and education, it has been his love and passion for basketball that has steered Salmon through every endeavor. An award-winning and outstanding player in high school and college, he played competitively from age 10 to 81. His fondness for sport may have even saved his life. Last year he had open heart surgery to correct five arteries that were blocked more than 95 percent. It was his fitness that saved him.
Salmon is grateful to the three heart doctors at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia who “were the best. “They said because of my lifetime of exercise and 71 years of basketball I had the body of someone aged 60, not 82.” he added. “Exercise is so very important in living life to its fullness.”
Basketball gives him great pride. On September 5, 1970, Dr. Salmon founded, organized, and ran Coach Salmon’s Breakfast Club at Millville High School. It is held at the school gym at 5:30 a.m. six days a week; there is no breakfast to eat, just a steady diet of basketball competition for anyone who attends. This bonding and character-building learning experience continues to this day, a legacy with a total of more than 2,000 individuals participating.
“Ed has a rare and beautiful integrity about him,” said Richard Pescatore, Esq., who now leads Coach Salmon’s Breakfast Club. “His heart leads his actions, and his love for his extended family and his countless friends best describes him. Whenever I am around this genuine and authentic person who I am honored to call my brother, I always feel valued, seen and heard.
“He has had an amazing career in business and politics. He is also a gifted athlete. His greatest success, however, from my point of view is the remarkable way he has achieved a balance among all his endeavors, with family always first,” Pescatore eadded.
Indeed, Salmon’s achievements have left us all a great legacy. I do believe it deserves a note to go along with this newspaper clipping.
IF YOU GO
The Hughes Center at Stockton University will honor five outstanding individuals for professional excellence and a commitment to public service, civic engagement, and bipartisanship.
Thursday, November 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Stockton University Campus Center Event Room, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205. Tickets can be purchased at Stockton University: 2025 Hughes Center Honors · GiveCampus
2025 Hughes Center Honorees
Dr. Edward H. Salmon, Distinguished Lifetime Achievement AND Civility in Politics and Government awards
Christina M. Renna, Excellence in Civic Engagement Award
Cassie Iacovelli, Community Leadership Award
Honorable Jessica Ramirez ’98, Distinctive Alumni Leadership Award
Vlad Vasylyk, Distinctive Student Leadership Award
The Hughes Center Honors celebrates the legacy of Congressman William J. Hughes, who believed deeply in civil discourse, bipartisan cooperation, and empowering citizens to be active participants in shaping their future.
Net proceeds from this event support the Hughes Public Policy Center’s Endowment Fund. For more information, contact the Public Policy Center at 609-626-3542 or hughescenter.edu, or visit the website at stockton.edu/hughes-center.
