SOUTH OTSELIC – Edward R. McKissick, 55, of South Otselic, the middle son of Robert and Charlotte (DeLap) McKissick, passed away Thursday afternoon, Sept. 23, 2010, in the Cortland Regional Medical Center after a long fight with prostate cancer.
Ed was born Feb. 25, 1955 in Cobleskill before his family moved to the North Pitcher - South Otselic area in 1967 where he attended and graduated from the Otselic Valley school in 1973. He worked for Baillie Lumber in Smyrna for a period of 38 years. Ed was a farmer at heart raising pigs, beef cows, rabbits and a few chickens thrown in the mix. He loved children and animals and they loved him in return. A man who enjoyed a good joke or prank, he did his share of telling or pulling a lot of each. His comment was, “No one was safe, everyone was fair game.” He loved the sport of hunting deer, rabbits, birds etc. and ate what he bagged. Ed will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him including his ‘kids’ the beagles Tucker, Zac, Sassy, Jake and his travel buddy cocker spaniel Major.
Ed is survived by his wife of 34 years Laura (DeLee) McKissick of South Otselic, his mother Charlottte McKissick of Norwich, his children, Autume McKissick of Norwich, Odessa (Fred) Lanfair also of Norwich, Logan Mckissick of South Otselic and his only grandchild Mara Lanfair. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters, Bob (Tina) McKissick III of Franklin, Faye (Ken) Howard of DeRuyter, David McKissick and his good friend Dawn Ackerman of Norwich, Helen Baker of DeRuyter, Roger (Linda) McKissick of Las Cruces, N.M. and his sister-in-law Teena McKissick of Norwich. Ed is also survived by an uncle Bill McKissick of Beaver Meadow and an aunt Abby Hyer of Homer along with many nieces and nephews.
Ed was predeceased by his father, Robert McKissick, and his brother, Charles (Chuck) McKissick.
A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Ed’s life will be held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the Plymouth Fire House. Food may be dropped off anytime after 10:30 a.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the South Otselic Fire Dept., South Otselic, NY 13155, the So. Otselic American Legion, So. Otselic, NY 13155 or to the Plymouth Fire Dept. Plymouth, NY 13832.
Arrangements are with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.