Michael Patrick Eden, 86, of Concord, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Born July 19, 1938, in Fulham, England, Michael was the son of Arthur and Emma Elizabeth “Kelly” Eden. An only child, he grew up just south of London in the Surrey town of Morden. His early years were shaped by World War II, when his mother was forced to do the unthinkable and send her young son away to live with strangers and away from the ever-present threat of German bombs. When asked about the war years later, Michael would remember the lifelong friends he made and the thrill of air raid shelters that almost always came with the promise of sweets and “hot soup.” This positive outlook on life formed in Michael’s early years would stay with him for the next eight decades. It would be a buffer against any adversity he faced and would infect everyone he met.
As a young boy, Michael showed an aptitude and passion for engineering and design; he entered the field as an apprentice at age 15. He also found great joy as a young man in exploring the world, especially climbing mountain peaks across the Dolomites, Alps, and Wales.
In October 1965, Michael’s career and love of adventure took him to Massachusetts, where he was recruited to contribute to a new government-funded project: photo IDs. Michael’s work caught the attention of Polaroid Corp., which he joined in June 1966 and where he would remain for the next 30 years. He earned mechanical engineering degrees from the U.K.’s Wimbledon Technical College and Carshalton Technical College, and a bachelor’s in industrial management from Northeastern University in Boston. Michael proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1971.
Though Michael played a role in several of Polaroid’s major product innovations during his tenure, including the launch of the category-defining SX-70 instant camera in 1972 and many of the models that followed, his proudest early-career accomplishment was attracting the attention of a Tufts University graduate student working at his office in Cambridge. With the charm, humor, and storytelling skills he was well known for throughout his life, Michael won the heart of Jane Tobey, and they married in 1967.
Jane was the love of Michael’s life. Together, they built a beautiful world filled with love, laughter, adventure, and family. They raised three children and spent most of their four decades together in Hanover. Michael was an active member of every community he was part of. He was a leader within his church, youth athletics, and scouting. He was also an avid gardener, hiker, golfer, tennis player, sailor, and skier. He was as comfortable at the grill as he was at the griddle, with his chocolate chip pancakes being a staple of many a sleepover.
Michael had a passion for both flavors of “football,” though his bias was for the one Americans call “soccer.” He began coaching youth soccer before his kids were old enough to play, and he coached his three children for many years after. Above all, Michael was a husband and father, loving and caring for Jane in both good times and hard, and raising and supporting his three children on their own paths. In his final two decades, Michael focused his attention on his duties as “Pop,” and was so full of pride for each of his eight grandchildren.
Michael was a ray of sunshine to everyone who met him. He would light up every room with the twinkle in his eye, his wit, and smile. He made time for everyone who asked for it, never passing up the chance to lend a hand or share a story. As a result, the network of those who loved him is vast, and the family finds great comfort in knowing his memory will live on through the many lives he and Jane touched.
Michael is survived by his children Jeffery (Janet) Eden of Overland Park, Kansas, Gregory (Kathryn) Eden of San Carlos, California, and Katharine (Chris) Renyi of Concord; and his grandchildren, JT, Lucky, Tessa, Alex, Phoebe, Brady, Drew, and Halle. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 25, at Duvall Chapel at Newbury Court, 80 Deaconess Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s memory to The Jane Tobey Eden Scholarship, awarded annually to a Hanover High School graduate pursuing a career in teaching. Visit www.hanoverpsf.com/scholarships for more information.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a memory or to offer a condolence on his tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
