Edward Tanber

Edward E. Tanber, Jr. died July 7 at Heartland of Holly Glen, Toledo, where he had lived two weeks. He was 78.

Ed's heart had been failing for several years, but somehow he managed to overcome one setback after another to continue his mission at the Step One Club on West Sylvania Avenue, where for more than three decades he helped thousands of club members and others control their addictions – along with his own - one day at a time.

Ed was born in Toledo on Aug. 2, 1930 to Edward and Edna Tanber, who immigrated to the United States from Zahle, Lebanon. He attended Roosevelt Elementary and graduated from Macomber High School.

Ed's two passions were University of Michigan football and the Step One Club.

He attended his first UM game in the 1950s and bought his first season tickets in 1969 – Bo Schembechler's initial campaign as the Wolverine coach. In the subsequent 40 years, Ed missed only a handful of home games. He especially enjoyed attending games and tailgating with his brother-in-law, James Thabit; his nephew, Brian Thabit; and his close friend, Mike Stutz. Beginning in 1975, Michigan played in 33 consecutive bowl games. Ed attended nearly every one.

Despite the love and support of his parents and siblings, Ed, known in those days as Junior, led an aimless first 47 years with little ambition or direction. Often, he was ridiculed for his quiet demeanor, his soft heart and a lifestyle and personality that set him apart. Eventually, he slid into alcohol addiction and was headed toward a certain, early death when he decided he had had enough.

On Jan. 6, 1978, Ed walked into a meeting on Collingwood Boulevard. There he was greeted by an old drinking buddy who put his arms around him and said, "Thank God you're here."

From that day forward, Ed was a different man. He found a mission he could embrace, a cause he could champion, happily. Talents emerged he never thought existed. Soon, he was directing meetings. Eventually, he became Step One's manager. Of the 30 or so Step One groups, Ed was a member of every one. Many of them, he organized.

The club became his home, its members his family. In a sense, Ed was their father. One member described his role there this way: "He didn't care what you thought about what he had to say. He was going to tell you straight what was on his mind, and it was going to be the truth. [But] if you fell, he was there to pick you up. He gave people hope."

Said another: "You could not have asked for a better man. God got an angel."

Ed attended his final Step One Club meeting the night before he died – 31 years and 180 days after his last drink. His work was completed.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George W. Tanber; and sister, Delores Najarian.

Thanks to Beth, Graham, Terry, Sarah, Ken, Jamie, Ben, John and all of the Step One Club family who were always there for Ed – especially during his last months.

Surviving are three sisters; Jeanette Saliba, Virginia Thabit and Shirley DeVictor; seven nephews and four nieces.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 12, from 2-8 p.m. at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 West Laskey Rd., where a Trisagion prayer service will be held at 7:30. Services will be Monday, July 13, at 10 a.m. at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 4940 Harroun Rd., Sylvania, with Very Rev. Fr. Paul Albert presiding. Burial will follow in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.

The family asks that contributions be to Alano Step One Club or St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church.