Charles Edwin Hockersmith

Charles Edwin Hockersmith passed away on July 31, 2022 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.  Ed was born in Shippensburg, PA in November 1947.  He was the son of the late Charles and Marietta “Mary” Potter Hockersmith and brother to John, Tom (deceased), and Marlene Hockersmith Quick.  Ed entered the Army after high school and received training with the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia.  He served as a tuba player with the 327th Army Band at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland and the 264th Army Band of the Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

He returned to Shippensburg and married Nancy Nickles in 1970.  He graduated from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.  After moving to Newark, Delaware, Ed became the Librarian at Christiana High School, and then at Newark High School.  He was the Library Director at Cecil Community College in Maryland, and later was the Librarian at  Del Castle Technical High School.  He earned a Master of Library Science degree in Information Technology from Syracuse University and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware.

Ed was the conductor of the Chesapeake Brass Band and a retired Bandmaster and Commander of the 287th Army Band.  He was a Delaware National Guard Warrant Officer and was inducted into that Hall of Fame.

Ed is survived by his wife, Nancy, and sons, Michael C. Hockersmith and wife, Kristin, of North Carolina, and Alexander N. Hockersmith and wife, Ashley, of Florida, along with their daughters, Quinn and Taylor Hockersmith.

A Celebration of Life for Ed was held with family and friends on Friday, August 5th. Private interment will be held in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania at a later date.

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