Edmund R. Folsom (“Ted”), 86, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 1, 2026. He was born on March 4, 1939, in New York City to Perley and Grace (Clarke) Folsom. Ted graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1957, earned his bachelor’s degree from Villanova University in 1961, and later received his Master of Business Administration from New York University in 1967. He proudly served on active duty in the United States Army beginning in 1962.
Following his graduation from Villanova, Ted embarked on a distinguished 30-year career at First Fidelity Bank, where he rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending. Among his many professional accomplishments, he played a key role in financing the construction of Giants Stadium and the Brendan Byrne Arena at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In the final decade before his retirement, he continued his career at Provident Bank. Through his work in commercial lending, Ted helped countless businesses grow, creating opportunities and prosperity for people from all walks of life.
Ted shared 63 devoted years of marriage with his beloved wife, Ethel. Together they raised their family in New Providence, New Jersey. He was a proud father to Cindy Madura (Jeff) of Lake Zurich, Illinois, and John Folsom (Maureen) of Califon, New Jersey; and a loving grandfather to six grandchildren: Rachel, Joe, and Michael Madura, and John, Meredith, and Lily Folsom.
Ted was a patient, kind, and thoughtful man who found his greatest joy in his grandchildren. He made every effort to attend their sporting events, graduations, birthdays, and celebrations, never missing an opportunity to be present in their lives. He even followed their school sporting teams closely and often used a recent game or upcoming event as the perfect reason for a phone call, always eager to stay connected.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Ted was a high school pitcher whose love of the game grew into a steadfast devotion to the New York Yankees. He attended several World Series championship games in the late 1970s. As a Villanova alumnus, he was also a passionate supporter of the men’s basketball program. When Villanova captured its historic national championship in 1986 with a Cinderella victory over Georgetown, Ted’s pacing during the game was so relentless that the hallway carpet required replacement. Phone calls from lifelong classmates filled the night with celebration.
Ted deeply cherished time spent with friends, especially sharing meals and conversation. Golf was a lifelong passion, and he was a longtime member of Plainfield Country Club. He later purchased a home at Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania, on a golf course, and eventually retired to Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. His love for beautifully maintained courses carried over to his own home, where his lawns were immaculately groomed, free of weeds, and mowed in flawless diagonal patterns. Every tree and shrub was pruned with care and precision.
Ted will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
