| Ed Delyonas's Eulogy |
| by Steve Wagar |
|
All of us who knew Ed know that he wouldn't want us to be moping around all sad about him now. He'd want us to throw a party. But I'd like to take some time to reflect on the special brand of magic he brought into our lives so we can really appreciate what we have lost and gather ourselves to carry forward.
He was a rascal and a rogue, but he was also a true gentleman and had the kindest soul. He would always look for the humor in any situation, and if he could prank someone, in a good way, he would do it. He loved a good party, and you could usually find him at the center of it, singing and dancing. He was into all kinds of music, from Jimmy Sturr's polka music to Santana, and everything in between. And he enjoyed all kinds of foods. Buffets were his favorite kind of meal. His eyes would go wide, his fingers would waggle, and he would pore over every item picking out all his favorites. He especially liked desserts. He was famous for his sweet tooth. He would savor every bite, often taking twice as long to eat as everyone else. But it went much deeper than having a good time. First and foremost, Ed was a connoisseur of life. By that, I don't mean just staying alive, though he was clearly very good at that. I mean he enjoyed all the little things happening right now. Like many of us, I mostly live my life in the near future — I'm always thinking about what I need to get done, whether it's the chores I have to do or even what I do for fun. I just check off my list — if I did x, y and z, I must have had fun. But Ed never forgot to live in the moment, and seeing that was a special gift to me because it helped me learn to appreciate what was right in front of me. For example, he loved parades, because parades are all about making the present moment bigger. I think he just loved seeing so many people focusing on individual jobs yet working together. Bands were his favorite, but the whole spectacle captivated him from the performers to the audience. Before I met him, I didn't like parades. I used to wait for them to end to check them off my list as done and enjoyed. Now, I try to see what he saw. Ed inspired me to realize that life isn't a race, it's a journey. It is precious. Every moment can count if you pay attention. As a father, I saw how much he invested himself in the lives of his grandchildren. He didn't just watch TV while they played; he got down on the floor and played with them. He loved seeing the world through a child's eyes since he was still a kid at heart. His energy was infectious, and they always looked forward to spending time with him. And, as you all know, he engaged with everyone that way. He always wanted know how you were doing and what you were up to. He would care about details nobody else would ask about because he knew they mattered to you, and that made it matter to him. And, in general, he just loved to socialize. He was really looking forward to his 95th birthday party and he regretted that it didn't happen. Although he had just retired when I met him in 1986, that didn't slow him down at all. He had boundless get-up-and-go. Everyone who lives in West Norwalk has seen him out walking countless times. As soon as you spotted his shock of white hair and caught his gait, you knew it was him. And he was out almost every day tending his yard and garden. You'd never find a stray leaf in his yard. For decades he ran his own handyman business as Fast Eddie. He was a real can-do guy who loved a challenge. He was very meticulous and had high standards. For Ed, a job worth doing was worth doing right. I remember he taught a course on the 1964 World's Fair in New York at Lifetime Learners. Now, a fair is even better than a parade, because it lasts longer and has more special exhibits. That's why he loved going to the Big E every year. Anyway, he spent a long time getting that course just right. I know, because I was his video editor. He had several DVDs and he had me cut out many specific segments to highlight the exact parts he wanted. Both participating and contributing to Lifetime Learners meant a lot to him because he could engage with other people on subjects he really cared about. For Ed, work was more about integrity and the pride of a job well done than making money. Now, he did like making money, but he saved more than he spent and loved being thrifty more than spending. But one of the few things he liked to spend money on was clothes. He loved being stylish and hip and always tried to dress up nicely for any occasion. I'm sure, like me, many of you wished you had as much style as he did. He was fun, he lived life to the fullest, he was curious and considerate, and he kept busy doing the things he loved with style and panache. We've never had a family gathering before where he wasn't here, reassuring us with his presence that everything was right with the world. It's going to be hard without him, but he taught us well. We'll carry him forward in our hearts and in our minds. He'll always be with us in spirit, lightening our mood and looking for the bright side. He was the best of us, and he's left us big shoes to fill. |
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Steve Wagar
<steve@wagar.com>
Last update: 02/16/25