Condolence: Sandy, I'm sorry to hear about your loss of your dad. I hope the many memories comfort you and your family.

Condolence: My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult period.

Condolence: Sandy,

I am very sad to hear about the loss of you father, may the good memories comfort you at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Nancy

Condolence: Ed Mariano was one of the people that Tom Brokaw unfortunately left out of his book about the Greatest Generation. He may not have been a hero or accomplished any great feats, but Ed epitomized the people that Tom wrote about; people that worked hard, did what they thought was right and believed in their country.

He grew up through the depression, never wasted anything and was always mindful of the value of what he had. He never used credit cards, always paying his bills in cash or with a money order. Ed was well into his eighties before he even had a checking account. His security was cold hard cash and banking with a passbook, because if he could see it written down then he was sure it was in the bank. He worked hard to support his family and provide for them. He lived in the same house on Carver Street for over 50 years. His wife Grace passed away in 1985 and I don’t think Ed ever got over it. He missed her every day of his life.

He was a true American in every sense. Having served in the Navy during WWII he had a never ending supply of “war stories” that he was willing to share with anyone that wanted to hear and even those that didn’t. And in case you didn’t hear him tell it the first time he was always ready to tell it again. No one could have crossed the equator that many times. His motto was “buy American”. He would never even consider a car that wasn’t a Ford, Chevy or Chrysler. Other than Italian food, Ed didn’t even like foreign dishes. You couldn’t get him near a Chinese restaurant. It was meat and potatoes or ziti and meatballs all the way. He was so American that he was furious when the Red Sox acquired pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka from Japan.

And don’t get him started on the Yankees. He was an avid Red Sox fan and had a distain for Steinbrenner and the Yankees that was unrivaled. He swore they rigged their games with a pitchers mound that would somehow automatically elevate when a Yankee was pitching. During baseball season I don’t think Ed missed listening to a Red Sox game. Yes, he “listened” to them on the radio rather than watch them on TV. I think he preferred to picture the game being played. I’ll never forget when we took him to Boston to the Red Sox victory parade when they won the World Series in 2004. At 82 years old it didn’t bother him at all to stand for hours so he could watch his team ride by on the Ducks.

I’m going to miss Ed, as I’m sure so will his neighbor Al, the tellers at the bank and the waitresses at Maple’s. He might have been stubborn sometimes, but you really couldn’t help but like him.

Condolence: Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. We are here for you if you need us. Henry and Bea

Condolence: Although I will not be able to be there, I will there in spirit to celebrate your Dad's life and to mark his transition.

Condolence: Rich, Carol and Sandra. I was so sorry to hear about your Dad. He is with your Mom now. Happy. At peace. Together they will watch over you. As you hold the many happy memories close to your heart.

Condolence: Carol, Sandra and Richard-I am sorry to hear about your Dad. You are all in my thoughts. Roberta