Help Honor Ed Deyne’s Life and Legacy

Hello everyone,

I am reaching out for support during this incredibly difficult time. My father, Ed Deyne, passed away very suddenly in the early hours of April 26th, leaving a tremendous hole in my heart. His passing was completely unexpected and happened very quickly.

After spending over 20 years caring for me, his parents, and his older brother, my father was finally beginning to live his own life. He had recently moved to Vermont to be closer to me and my family. He was thrilled about his beautiful new apartment, just ten minutes away from us. He lovingly furnished it, hung photos on the walls, unpacked memories, and embraced his new sense of freedom — all while cherishing the closeness to family he had longed for.

He often came over to spend time with his grandson, cuddling on the couch and tickling little feet. He cooked meals for us weekly to ease my load as a stay-at-home mom, always thinking of ways to help. For years, he had dreamed of traveling again, and this Easter he finally decided to take a trip, hopping on an Amtrak to St. Augustine, Florida, to revisit familiar streets, rest on the beach with a book, and enjoy the sunshine.

Tragically, he became ill on his first day there. He was hospitalized just hours after arriving and, despite every effort, his health declined rapidly over the next three days. I flew down with my husband and son, and we were blessed to be by his side when he passed.

There are no words to truly express the pain and sadness I am feeling. I am his only child and his last remaining immediate family member. We shared an incredibly close bond, often talking on the phone for over an hour at a time. I will miss him every single minute for the rest of my life.

My father was a loving, hardworking man — an amazing father and father-in-law, a loyal friend, and just a genuinely kind soul. Funny and sharp-witted, he stayed in good spirits all the way to the end. He worked 35 years for the State of New York, fed generations of children at St. Peter’s School, volunteered with Touching Bases, cared for his parents for over 15 years, opened his own massage therapy business and, in the final chapter of his life, was the best grandpa to a wonderful little boy.

This is where I humbly ask for any contribution you might be able to give, no matter how small. Alongside the emotional toll, I am now facing the financial challenges that come with handling final arrangements and related expenses.

I am doing everything I can to honor him the way he deserves — bringing him home to Haverstraw for services and then home again to Vermont for burial and final rest.

Any contributions will go directly toward covering funeral costs, legal fees, and other urgent expenses. No amount is too small — and every bit of support, including simply sharing this page, means more than I can ever express.

Thank you so much for your kindness, your support, and for helping me honor the life of an incredible man.

With love and gratitude,

Jessica Deyne