NORWICH – Edwin L. Cummings, 84, of Norwich, passed away Sunday night, Oct. 19, 2008, in the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital of Cooperstown.
The son of Ray and Inez (Whitmore) Cummings, Ed was born in Otselic in February of 1924. He attended the local schools and, as a young man, helped on the family farm. Ed joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 20 to serve his country during World War II. He was stationed in Hawaii and, during his tour of duty, serviced in the military police. Returning home with his honorable discharge, Ed used his skills as a mechanic and jack of all trades to gain employment with area businesses, including Wightman’s Garage, Baker’s Garage, and the Benedict car dealership. For over 20 years he worked for Victory Markets as a truck driver. An easy-going individual with a happy and caring attitude, Ed enjoyed life in general and time spent with his family.
Ed is survived by his companion, Mary Graham; his children and their spouses: Shirley Hilts of South New Berlin, William and Mary Cummings of West Edmeston, Patricia and Carl Cleinman of Gilbertsville, Judy Ray of Sherburne, John and Joan Cummings of Florida, Ricky and Donna Cummings of New Berlin, Sue Cole of South Carolina, Inez and Kevin Cummings of South Carolina, Mary and Andrew Coles of New Berlin, Penny and Herbert Allen of Norwich, Joan E. and Joe Smith of Oxford, Sherrie and David Convertino of Hamilton, Edwin L. Cummings II and wife Amy of Norwich, and Daphne “Pooh” Burdick of Oxford. Also surviving are numerous grand, great grand, and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins; brothers Raymond and Richard Cummings, both of Norwich; and last but not least, Ed’s dog, PeeWee. Ed was predeceased by his wife, Anna Eldred Cummings; and by his brothers, Ralph, Leslie, Vernon, and Lee Cummings.
Funeral services for Ed will be held at 2 p.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Stephen Reese, pastor of the Columbus Community Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from noon until 2 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Norwich Fire Dept., 31 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to the Cardiac Care Unit, Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.