Edward H. Borkon Obituary (1930 - 2022)

Edward H. Borkon, age 92, of Minneapolis, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2022. Born September 7, 1930. Preceded in death by parents, Lea and Ben Borkon; sister, Marilyn Borkon; brother, Irving Borkon; and great-nieces, Rachel Lieber and Taylor Lieber. Survived by sister-in-law, Sherrill Lewis Borkon; niece, Lauren Lieber (Dan Lieber, Michael); and nephew, Bard Borkon (Julie Silverman, Josh and Jack Borkon). Raised in Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, Ed was a devoted son, brother, and uncle. During high school, he was an accomplished athlete and placed first in the Wisconsin state oratory competition. Ed came to St. Paul in 1948 to attend Macalester College, where he received his undergraduate degree. Ed then served in the United States Marine Corps and 11 th Armored Calvary Division of the United States Army. Ed next attended law school at the University of Minnesota, where he graduated in 1958 and began his law practice with the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis. In 1961, Ed joined the firm of Schermer and Gensler, where he later became a named partner, mentor and friend to many partners and colleagues over his 56 years in practice. Ed was a skilled trial lawyer and argued before the United States Supreme Court. He loved sharing “war stories” about his adventures in the court room and was an active member in the American Trial Lawyers Association. Ed loved traveling to ATLA’s annual conventions with his dear friends and partners. Ed also was a deeply connected and active alum of his alma maters, Macalester and the U of MN Law School, including membership on Macalester’s alumni board. Ed was a lifetime Mason and Past Master of University Masonic Lodge. Outside of work, Ed loved opera and traveled many times to New York to attend performances at the Met - a passion he shared with his family and close friends. He was an avid racquetball and tennis player and sports fan. Ed especially enjoyed watching the Gophers and Twins. A favorite memory of Ed’s was playing fantasy baseball with Mickey Mantle and other legends. Ed enjoyed travel and was a wine connoisseur and regular at many of the finest restaurants in Minneapolis and New York. In his later years, Ed dined almost nightly at Ciao Bella, whose wonderful staff treated Ed like family. Ed’s storytelling, uproarious impersonations, and quick wit will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Most of all, Ed was a wonderful man who dearly loved his parents, sister, brother, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews. We are forever grateful to Andy Burton, who helped Ed maintain independence in recent years. We are also so thankful for Ed’s caregivers who gave him a quality and dignified end of life. Funeral Thursday, 1 PM at Adath Jeshurun, 10500 Hillside Lane, Minnetonka. The funeral will be livestreamed through Adath Jeshurun’s website: www.adathjeshurun.org/livestream SHIVA Thursday, 7 p.m. at Oak Ridge Country Club, 700 Oak Ridge Rd., Hopkins 55305. Donations preferred to: Taylor's Fund at Children's Cancer Research Fund - www.childrenscancer.org/taylor