Edward Mandell Funeral Fund

Edward Mandell, 2019


Dad's many caretakers over the years would tell you he lit up a room when he walked in. The nurses who sat with him at Fulton Commons nursing home this last year loved the way he would fist-pump as they rolled his wheelchair through the hallways. Cancer could not take from him his zest for life. Dad was a character. He loved Elvis, watching wrestling, and flirting with his nurses unabashedly. He lived with pain from Cerebral Palsy all his life, and was lucky to have in his sister, Dorothy Howard, a fierce advocate and protector. Dad loved his family deeply - especially our mother, Barbara, who passed away in 1992. He visited her grave as often as we could drive him there, and they will be at rest together now at the Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, NY.

Dad loved and was so proud of his daughters. We were not always able to be together, but it is a comfort that we could talk to him and visit him regularly in his last years. Kirsten and her husband Ismael were dedicated to providing for him, and flew to visit dad in NY from their home in Tampa often - sneaking him ice cream and taking selfies with him along the way. I know dad was so grateful for these memories. 

We are thankful that the Knights of Columbus, an organization dad respected and volunteered with for years, donated the cemetery plot when our mother passed away. While much of the expenses are covered, we find ourselves in need of some help to come up with the remaining balance for Hartnett Funeral home and for dad's mass at St. Martha's. We'll be raising funds to help with the funeral balance, the cost of pall-bearers and transportation, and flowers. Any remaining donations will will be sent in dad's honor to the United Cerebral Palsy Center of Nassau County, where dad received exceptional care and resources for many years. 

We thank everyone for their warm wishes and condolences at this difficult time, and we are grateful for the support of our truly incredible family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate in dad's name to the UCP Center in Nassau County, which offers invaluable services to the community in support of children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. You can find more information here: http://www.cpnassau.org/services/