This was mentioned on the Chatterbox thread, but it deserves a thread of its own.
As posted on Facebook by Beth Blysard:
[QUOTE]
It’s not easy to lose someone you love. It’s harder to accept that they aren’t coming back. I never thought I would be writing this.
Daddy passed this morning.
He’s with his family and his best friend in heaven.
You were a loving father and husband. You taught me so many things. I’m so proud to call you my Daddy. You fought cancer for as long as you could. And I’m proud of everything you’ve accomplished. You’re no longer fighting and finally at peace. You mean the world to me and always will. You were my first and greatest love and my best friend. You made sure to let everyone know you were my biggest fan in all the sports I played.
Family and friends,
Let me tell you a few things about my Daddy.
He was fascinated with Trains. He had a passion for Locomotives. He was a classic rock fan. He has a hippie’s soul. He’d give you the shirt off his back. He was so smart, and if he didn’t know something he’d figure it out. He was a photographer capturing the best moments. He was a published author is A few magazines. He was a total goof ball and loves to make everyone smile. And our family was his priority.
Gonna miss him a great deal- he’s one of the handful of forum members that I have met in person (Lincoln, NE, back in 2005? He’s the guy in front, I’m the tall dude in back).
The good memories of reading Ed’s contributions to this forum make a weak attempt to overcome the sorrow of knowing there will be no new contributions to our knowledge and understanding. I know that many of us are no longer spring chickens and this loss will happen again, but it’s still hard to confront news like this. It was clear that Ed had character; it was clearer that he was a character and I among many will miss him.
Ed Blysard, touched many of us through his correspondence,his FB, and his contributions on these Forums, and his contributions to the magazine. R.I.P Ed.
Ed had a way of explaining to us non-railroaders why things were done the way they were, including an occasional rules citation, without making us feel like a bunch of idiots. He also loved his work and it showed in his writing, be it one of his postings here or a story in TRAINS.
Thanks, Larry! We mentioned Ed in the “Chatterbox”, but he definitely deserves a thread of his own.
I remember when the Garriotts’ electricity blew out, he was one of the first ones to say, “What can we do?”, and we raised enough money for them to get it repaired.
In Brian’s picture, Ed is the one crouching in front; that’s his wife Aimee with her hand on his shoulder.
I posted his story about the wheelchair-bound railfan over on Facebook last night; should I do it here as well?
He left us 'way too young…may he rest in peace, and free from pain.
I see no reason why not - some here may not have seen it, and it’s worthy of a tribute all by itself. Just remember to stock up on tissues before you read it.
Thank you, Ed, for teaching me a lot about real-life railroading through your posts on here and your articles. Know that you are greatly missed. May God ease your family’s journey through this painful time, and hold your soul in the palm of His hand.
