Edward Ramon Stacy

Edward Ramon Stacy 1918-2013 Ed was born and raised in Westfield Massachusetts, to Polish immigrant parents. After college, Ed became a paper chemist at Stevenson Paper Mill. During World War II he served in the US Coastguard on a anti-submarine warfare ship protecting troop and cargo ships on the Murmansk Run between the US and Russia. After the war, Ed courted and married Josephine M. Giffin while working at Stevenson Paper Mill in Connecticut and they added two boys to the family, James and Alan. Ed loved his work as paper chemist, inventing many forms of specialty paper used in technical applications and manufacturing. He travelled the world, troubleshooting paper mills and solving paper making problems with zeal. For many years Ed and Jo were active members of the Lee and Lenox communities in the Berkshires of Massachusetts where Jim and Alan grew up. He was promoted to plant manager of a photographic paper mill in Pulaski N.Y., where the family was introduced to ?lake-effect blizzards?, -20 degree windchill storms, and the joys of snowshoeing and snowmobiling (and then we all moved to California). Ed enjoyed gardening, hiking, canoeing, fishing, and snowshoeing with his boys. The epic family camping trips, while usually ending in rain and sodden tents, were recorded as deep memories in the family. Gregarious holiday gatherings of the Stacy and Giffin clans punctuated the years as the families grew, moved about the country and world, and regathered to share good times and memories. After retiring from full time work at Mead Papers in 1983, Ed continued consulting for paper companies for a few years and even travelled to China to assist the startup of a new mill there. He and Josephine moved to California to be closer to their son James and their new granddaughter Sherrie-Anne. When his beloved wife of 52 years passed away in 2004, Ed moved to Carmel-by-the-Sea to be near his second son Alan and his family. There he enjoyed hiking in Point Lobos, eating at Casanova, and imbibing the occasional vodka martini. Edward spent the last four years in the care of Sunrise of Monterey, where his caregivers delighted in his sense of humor in the face a of slow decline in memory. The family also want to thank Hospice of Central Coast for their detailed attentiveness and compassion in Ed's final year. They made it easier and more full of grace. While he aways said he would make it to 100, the family believes he had a full and wonderful ?almost 95 years? to enjoy life. Ed passed away in his sleep in the early hours of January 29th after a brief final decline in vitality. We the family know that Ed is now enjoying the company of Josephine, all her Giffin siblings, Nellie, Henry, and every other spirit who embraces a man who lived a full and fruitful life. Ed is survived by his sons James V. Stacy (wife Kathleen and daughter Sherrie-Anne) of Encinitas, CA; Alan Stacy (wife Deborah Russell, son Spencer, and daughter Merisa) of Carmel, CA; and brother Walt Stacy (and wife Elsie of Hollywood, SC, and their sons and grandchildren: Richard Stacy and Kathy of Woodstock, GA; and their children Mark and his wife Kelly, Brian and Katie; Bill Stacy and Cheryl of Phoenix, AZ; John and his wife Cindy of Hope Mill, NC and children Kenneth, Kristy and Jack; Robert and his wife Karen of Fort Mill, SC, and children Brandon and Michael). Preceding him was his dearest wife Josephine Marie (2004), brother Henry (1991), sister Nellie (1990), mother Wladyslawa (1981), and father Victor Stasielowski (1932). A Celebration of Life will be held March 16th when family can gather and tell tales of a great man?s life. Knowing Ed was a blessing, keep him in your heart.