Edward F. Greel of Natick, born on October 28, 1930 in Wakefield, Massachusetts passed away on February 13, 2011 at home surrounded by his family and friends after a brief battle with cancer. Ed was the son of the late Margaret and Frank Greel.
Ed was a loving and dedicated husband of 56 years and best friend to Mary Gallimore Greel.
He was a loving Dad to his children Mark Greel and his fiancé Maureen Graham of Pembroke, Massachusetts and Michelle Greel Harter and her husband Chuck of Harrisville, Rhode Island.
He was the proud and adored “PAPA” to his grandchildren Kelly McCaffery, Kevin McCaffery, Bob Greel and Nina Greel.
Raised in Gloucester, Massachusetts until age 15 Ed moved to San Diego and was raised by his brother the late Frank Greel. He is also predeceased by two sisters, Margaret and Barbara. After graduating high school he joined the United States Navy and served honorably during the Korean War. He returned to Gloucester, Massachusetts meeting his wife Mary in 1955 and eventually moved to Natick where they raised their family.
Ed was a well-known, respected and award winning designer throughout New England. In addition to his successful and prominent career his long list of hobbies and passions included gourmet cooking, photography, painting and art and tending to his many gardens and koi pond with an overall passion for all things beautiful.
After retiring he attended Danforth Museum studying various form of painting. He was a member of the Framingham Artist Guild winning awards for his unique and original style.
He is also survived by a brother in law Jack Gallimore and his wife, Alice Bigelow Gallimore of Ledyard, Connecticut and his sister-in –law Anna Sannicandro of Ashland Massachusetts and many nieces and nephews.
Always smiling he will be missed by his many friends in the New England Area and Sanibel Island where he and Mary spent the last twenty winters. He will be missed by all of his many friends and most especially by Art Gross, Mel and Claire Butman, Edie and Dan Reinisch, and Bill and Cynthia Hoban.
To have the honor and privilege of knowing such a person who lived his life to the absolute fullest is an inspiration to anyone who had the gift of Ed’s friendship.
Ed’s family would like to invite you to a Celebration of his wonderful life by honoring his passing on Friday February 18 at 11:00 A.M. in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street,at Natick Common.
Visiting hours are Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.
Burial will be private in both Natick, Massachusetts and Sanibel Island.
The Family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Dana Farber Cancer Center, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th floor, Brookline, MA 02445