Edward Joseph Panisko passed away Friday night, July 22, 2016, following a 20 year battle with Parkinson's disease. Ed was born on May 2, 1944 to Frank "Paneek" and Margaret (McGowan) Panisko, and was a lifelong resident of Butte.

He attended St. Patrick's grade school and Boy's Central High, where he excelled in both academics and football, despite being only 5'7" and 135#s. He worked at the Berkeley Pit as a shovel operator, and later spent 20 years as the superintendent of a talc mine in Ennis after graduating from Montana Tech in mining engineering. He also acquired both a bachelor's and master's degree in business from City University.

Ed was a devoted and faithful son and the source of tremendous support for our parents for many years.

He was passionate about handball, his Oakland Raiders, the MSU bobcats, and all things involving the stock market, or what our family referred to as "Ed's gambling habit." He was keenly interested in horse racing, and last month asked a friend to place a bet on the Kentucky Derby for him. He went out a winner.

The family would like to express our deep gratitude to the people who provided so much loving care to Ed over the years, easing his journey: the staff of the Crest Nursing Home, two separate owner / operators and staff of the BeeHive Homes; and the third floor nursing team at St. James; and his personal doctors, Dr Bodine and Dr Scott.

In addition, Ed built up a long list of life long friends, for whom the family would like to express their appreciation, led by Jim Ugrin, "Mr. Jeopardy" and Ed's taxi service; Ed's Wednesday night regulars, that met with Ed at Pizza Hut for stock market talk, Fran Balkovetz and Kim Hicks, all of Butte; and his partners in crime that he played handball with ,and socialized with for years, John Badovinich, Joe Kasperick, Skeezy Sullivan, Jim Michelotti, and Larry McCafferty, to name a few. They are all special people. A special thanks go to Mike Cavanaugh who kept Ed in great gear over many years.

Ed was preceded in death by his mother and father; and sister, Kay; and countless friends and handball opponents. He is survived by his brothers, Fran (Peggy) Panisko of West Richland, WA, and Mike (Sharon O'Hare) Panisko of Ellensburg, WA; brother-in-law, Don Dawson (Kay's husband); McGowan-side cousins, which include, Ruthmeri Gleason and partner Ally of Butte, and Loretta Gleason Johnson of Arizona; and several cousins on the Panisko-side, He is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces, which include, John and Mark Panisko, Mark and Gary Dawson (Panisko); and Dan Panisko, his wife, Katie Green, and their children, Eddie and Jack; Ellen Panisko and Suzy (Dawson) Panisko-Chase; and several hundred handball players, who still are hitting the round ball).

Friends are asked to join the family on Wednesday after 4:00 PM in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Parish vigil will be recited at 6:00 PM Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. There will be a further celebration of Ed's life following the services at the cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Butte Central Foundation, MT Tech Foundation, or to the charity of the donor's choice.