Edward H. Kaufman, age 78 of Clifton, NJ, passed away on October 8, 2026. Born on August 19, 1948, in Brooklyn, NY, to Jacob Kaufman and Sylvia (Shafsky) Kaufman, he lived in Passaic and Nutley before settling in Clifton.

Edward started as a volunteer in the City of Passaic in the 1960’s as a Civil Defense Ambulance Stretcher Bearer when he was 16 years of age. At age 17 he became the youngest Deputy Chief of Communication in the state of New Jersey. In 1972 he was promoted to sergeant and was in charge of the disaster control center. Ed volunteered to help for three consecutive days with no sleep at the devastating Labor Day fire on September 5, 1985. He served as a Master Mason at Masonic Lodge # 136 for 56 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jacob Kaufman and Sylvia Kaufman; and sons Joseph Hrabal and James Hrabal.

Ed is survived by his wife Julie Ann (Gallagher) Kaufman, children; son Abraham Kaufman and his wife Victoria of Bloomingdale, daughter Sharon Herrin and her husband Chippy of Carnes, Mississippi, son Jerome Kaufman and his fiancé Avery of Nutley, son Jack Kaufman and his wife Jess of Freehold, and son Robert Hrabal of Clifton, and father-in-law of Patricia Hrabal. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Nicole and her son Christian Joseph, Lynda, Christopher, Laura, James, Kyle, AbbyGayle, Jennifer, Kaitlyn, Nicole, Liam, and Harper, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Visiting Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 4-8 PM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Funeral Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Interment, St. Michael's Cemetery, South Hackensack.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, www.nleomf.org in memory of Edward H. Kaufman, would be greatly appreciated.