Dennis, I want to hear more about Nancy beating you up.

Ed is one of the best men I’ve ever known. I don’t think I’ve told many people that. I don’t think I ever told him that. I’ve told a few people in the years gone by, but probably no one reading this. Just folks who happened to be in the right place at the right time on those rare occasions I felt the compulsion to speak of him. So maybe I can make up for that now. We all know he’s one of those utilitarian geniuses who can do anything he puts his mind to. He can figure anything out... anything. In my life I’ve known two other people like him. He never failed to awe me. But why would any of you know I felt that way? I used to be so cowed by everyone around me, it was an event when I put together two sound sentences. I seldom let Ed know how deeply I valued him. I was too nervous, too insecure, and often when I did speak to him I did so in an arrogant huff. I did that to mask my shame. You see, I didn’t want him or anyone to know how profoundly out-of-depth I felt just breathing the same air as him. But there’s more to him than that. Ed is a good man. Some of you may recall how I eulogized my father by telling those who gathered to bid farewell to him, that a good man is better than a great man. Because a good man simply, easily, consistently…. makes the world a better place. Great men and women are remembered for their technological and political advances, but good men and women. Ahhhhhh….. Those are the ones we remember in our hearts. We hold them dear and we allow them to permeate us, inspire us…… even speak through us. Those good souls make us proud to be alive. And because I spent so many years with my head up my posterior, I hadn’t really noticed. Not until he offered to let my family and me move into his old home, which he still owned, in northeast Philadelphia. This continues to have a profound impact on my life. That sent me on my way toward becoming a much better man, and continues to inspire me and enable me to be better in every way. It takes a good man to do what he did for me. It takes a good man to love a woman as dear as his laudable wife, Joanna. It takes a good man to teach, laugh, love and in a million other ways make an indelible impact on his grandkids, as he continues to do to his. It takes a good man to make this world we live in a better place. …….This fractured, yearning, angry, frustrating world we live in. There have been times when I would allow myself to be discouraged over the stressful things that were happening to me, to my neighbors, to this country and world. I’d pick up the papers or turn on the news and grieve over the state of the world and the poor decisions people made in trying to navigate it. And then I’d think of Ed and a few more people like him who, despite the droning and sometimes terrifying noise outside his door, simply shrugged and went on giving back to the world. He just went on living and loving. I admit, he was a stubborn man and invited a few of us to feel anger at him over the years. I know he had his bad habits and I know they caused us all a gray hair or two. But his best habit overshadowed everything else. He loved. He loved purely and intensely and without expectation of anything in return. I know that as well as anyone. I recently learned he was well-regarded in his neighborhood, a Mr.-Fix-It who donated his unyielding intellect and patience to all his neighbors. He gave..... he gave more than I ever realized. I continue to be awed by this man. I am humbled and honored to be his Godson. I have been dearly blessed. Ed and Joanna are both among this world’s most stalwart ambassadors of Goodness. And for that I will probably never be able to find the words or deeds to properly express my gratitude. But I shall continue to try. And I will continue to try to bring Ed’s example of love, service and overall competence to every deed and word. With his example, I will continue to be better. With undying Love, Mark

The Edward Connection: We moved to Glenview Street in the springtime of 1964. We were two doors from Edward's house. My brother Richard was brought into our new house via stretcher as he just had surgery for scoliosis. It was probably two minutes before Edward came over and introduced himself. Edward would come over daily for the next several months to play cards with Rich while he was recovering. Richard and Edward soon discovered they had a lot in common. If it was technical, they were interested. Ham radios come immediately to mind but truly any kind of gadgetry would do. Edward sitting on our recliner, feet up displaying his yellow flip flops was part of everyday life. At some point Edward, my dad, Richard and Dennis decided life would be much better if boats were involved. Thus, many good times were had fendering their boats together at the cove on the Delaware... Ed will always be remembered for his adventurous spirit but mostly for the friend he was to our family. Jane, Richard and Susan Thompson

Well said, Mark. I agree. Goodness defines Ed.

I want to thank everyone involved for this marvelous service, especially Kaitie and Devon. As I told her, she sung one of my favorite hymns better than anyone else I had ever heard. And as I told him...... Wow! Two ethereal moments in a gorgeous ceremony. I've already subscribed to Ed's Youtube channel (thanks Ben). I knew it as soon as I saw the Mad Scientist icon. Actually, I remember that it was through his Youtubing I learned to fine-tune Zbyszek's and my own hoverboard. Thank you. And most of all: Ed, thank you.

I will miss him so For those of you who may not know. Ed Barry was my brother, he changed his name while he was in the Navy. He was the best big brother anyone could ask for. I remember when I was small My sister Nancy would beat me up, Then Ed or back then Eddie would beat her up, Then of course my mother would beat up Eddie. Now I use the term "beat up" loosely just normal kid stuff. I remember being in my first snow ball fight with him, Now he is 10 years older so I had no chance, but it was great fun, well at least until I got hit in the face! :) He was a great teacher, he taught me how to work on cars, all about electricity and electronics too. I was always hanging around him always eager to learn and help. We would talk for hours, anything from internal combustion engines to nuclear power plants, and computers. Now days he would tell me all about working with his grandson joey really it was just the same as he working with me when I was growing up. We still talk all the time all about fishing or how to trouble shoot a problem. We always liked bouncing ideas off each other. We always enjoyed applying theory to real world situations. I largely owe my Naval career to him, without his advice when I was a teenager I never would have been so successful.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.