Edward Stephen Macko, age 87, of Raleigh went to be with the Lord surrounded by his loving family Friday, October 13th, 2023.

He was born August 20, 1936 in Duquesne, Pennsylvania to John & Mary Macko.

His parents immigrated from Slovakia after World War 1 and he grew up in a working class neighborhood with humble beginnings. He was a dedicated altar server learning English and Latin at Holy Trinity Catholic school. Ed's devotion to his Catholic faith carried him throughout his entire life right up to the moment he drew his last breath.

He graduated from Duquesne High School where he excelled in chemistry and mathematics. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and studied chemistry.

His gift of mathematics served him well where he kept ledgers and strong accounting skills throughout his adult life. Just ask his wife and children!

Ed was drafted into the US Army in 1961 and served until 1965. In 1961, Ed married the love of his life Eileen Joan Hilovsky from Butler, PA and they started a family. Ed was recruited by IBM in Owego, NY in 1965. He and Eileen relocated their family to Raleigh in 1970 where he remained with IBM for 36 years. He started as a Programmer and progressed his career to manage engineering teams across the Network Management business. He traveled the world solving complex engineering and client challenges throughout his career. He also loved recruiting the best of the best from universities across the US into IBM. Ed always valued his employees and received immense praise upon his retirement in 2001.

Ed was a devoted husband for 62+ years and loving father to five beautiful children. His life's purpose centered around his faith and his family. He was a volunteer coach in the Cary Pop Warner football leagues and a volunteer at St. Michael's Catholic Church for many years. Ed was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and the Holy Hackers Golf League where he enjoyed playing golf with his retired friends. His other passion was watching his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ed was self-giving, self sacrificing, always putting his family first. He lived by doing what is right, not what was always easy. He was kind, warm and selfless, treating everyone with respect. He would welcome you into his home, always treating you like family. Ed was a true gentleman. He prayed with Eileen every morning and evening for his family and that the world would turn to Christ.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Macko and his brother John Macko (Helen) of Duquesne.

Ed is survived by his loving wife Eileen and his children Edward Macko (Margaret), Robert Macko (Teresa), Steve Macko (Sunny), Michelle Hicks (John) and Lisa Zaytoun (Steve), along with eight grandchildren, Maggie, Mary Austin, Stephen, Joseph, Jacob, and Martha Macko, Brooke Hicks, Lauren Marshall (Hunter) and great-grandson Brooks.

The extended Macko family is forever grateful for the loving care and comfort received from Dr. Garst and her team at the Duke Mesothelioma Cancer Center, his caregivers Joyce Thuo, Priscilla Ogari, LaToya Mason and countless others.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday October 20, 2023 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 2718 Overbrook Dr. Raleigh, NC.

Visitation and reception will follow in the OLL Fallon Center.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter at https://fssp.com/support/.