November 1923 - March 2021

Edmond F. Espriu was born in November 1923 in Nogales, Arizona, where he lived until the age of 14, when he moved to California with his family. When he was 18, he signed up to serve in the Air Force during WWII. He spent most of his time in the service repairing damaged B-17s as a ground mechanic stationed in England. When he returned to California, he met his wife Betty, who he adored and was married to for more than 60 years. They bought a home in Downey in 1949, where they raised their five children: Ron, Dennis, Renee, Denise, and Chris.

In 1978, Edmond retired from the Ford Motor Company, where he had worked for 30 years. He continued to stay active, lifting weights each day, as he had done for decades. Edmond and Betty got matching Schwinn bicycles and would spend many lovely afternoons biking all over Downey together. However, their focus was now on their new role as Papa and Nana to a growing number of grandchildren. A day with Papa might mean blowing bubbles in the backyard, going for a drive down to the Seal Beach pier, or eating a couple of burgers at In N Out together.

Edmond had a sweet tooth. He loved chocolate, especially See’s Candies Peanut Butter Patties, and would eat several each day, if they were at hand. If you offered him one chocolate, he would always request another one “for the road.”

After the passing of his wife Betty in 2008, Edmond remained at their home in Downey, where he spent many mornings filling in word search books or solving a jumble puzzle in the LA Times, many afternoons sitting in the backyard enjoying the sunshine, and many evenings watching a good mystery program on television. He stopped lifting weights but would go walking nearly everyday.

He was a family man who had a great sense of humor and loved to make his loved ones smile. He passed away in March 2021 in Downey, California at the age of 97. He will be profoundly missed by all of his family and friends.

Edmond is predeceased by his wife Betty (Lain) Espriu, his son Dennis Espriu, and his brothers Ben Dickens, Gus Espriu, and Hector Dickens. He is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, two sisters, many nephews and nieces, and friends.

A private service will be held for Edmond at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach, California.