Edmond Peter Bertheaud, Jr.

Edmond Peter Bertheaud, Jr., 61 of Newark, DE, went to be with the Lord on September 27, 2016, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

 Born in New Orleans, LA, Ed grew up in Pennsylvania, the son of the late Edmond P. and Patricia Bertheaud. He was a graduate of Lansdale Catholic High School, PA, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Ed joined the DuPont Company in 1976 as an actuarial specialist in Wilmington, later spending time in Ponca City, OK, with Conoco. He was a leader of DuPont’s rollout of Six Sigma Certification, traveling the world to train finance teams across the company. He was appointed Chief Actuary in 2009, assuming responsibility for worldwide financial planning and actuarial policy for employee benefits. Ed also played an active leadership role on the American Benefits Council, serving on its Policy Board of Directors and on the ERISA Industry Committee as a member of the Board of Directors.  He retired after almost 39 years of distinguished and dedicated service, in 2015, due to his illness.

Ed was friendly and fun-loving, smart and quick-witted. Above all, he was loyal and loving. He was an adoring husband and an amazing father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, and friend. His family was his heartbeat and time spent together was true joy for him. Ed was an avid sports fan and true Phillies fanatic. He was resolute in his determination to beat cancer during his 17-month battle. He was a devoted member of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish community and a member of the Knights of Columbus. During his children’s youth, he was a tireless volunteer and coach for the Hockessin Soccer Club. 

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Charlene; their three children: Jennifer Spofford and husband, James, of Newark, DE; Peter, of Philadelphia, PA; and Amy Spofford and husband, Charles, of Downingtown, PA; their grandchildren, Anna and Jacob, and a granddaughter expected in January, 2017. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (Andrea); mother-in-law, Joan Sampedro; sisters-in-law, Cynthia Shadle (James) and Cheryl Fugate (Robert); brothers-in-law, Greg Sampedro (Jeremy) and Robert Summerhays (Chris); 16 nieces and nephews; and countless wonderful friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, John Sampedro; his grandmother, Anna Carey; and sister Patricia Summerhays. 

Friends and family are invited to visit at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707 on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 5:00-7:00pm; and on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 from 9:15-10:15am; where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.

Ed’s family would like to thank the staff of Manor Care Pike Creek for their care and dedication over the past year. They are also forever indebted to the legion of family and friends who have provided unfailing support through this journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ed’s name to St. Mary of the Assumption Church at the address listed above.

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