Obituary of Edward Sophia JR

Edward O. Sophia, Jr. "Eddie" "Poppy" Age 79, of Elmira, NY, passed away Monday, August 20, 2012 after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family in the SNF at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira. Edward was born February 21, 1933 at Arnot Ogden Hospital, son of the late Edward Ormel and Florence (Cardillo) Sophia, Sr. He is survived by his adoring family: his high school sweetheart and wife of 58 years Mary Ann (Ponzi) Sophia, daughters and sons-in-law, Susan (Sophia) and Scott Deming, Karen (Sophia) and David Decker, Nancy (Sophia) and Gary Vankirk, all of Elmira, Mary (Sophia) and Rusty Kohan of Horseheads; son and daughter-in-law Edward O., III and Mary Sophia of Horseheads; his 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers and sister-in-law, James Sophia of Elmira, Robert and Sylvia Sophia of Sao Paulo, Brazil; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lawrence and Shirley Ponzi Jr. of Horseheads; along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Ed was predeceased by his devoted border collie "Dutchess" who died in February 2012. A 1951 graduate of EFA, he was a devout Catholic and member of St. Anthony's Church his entire life. Upon graduation Eddie enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from July 5, 1951 to July 4, 1955, attended basic training at Sampson AFB and Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Miss. and was stationed in Greenland as a radio operator during the Korean War. He was an active member of the Italian American Veterans Club of Elmira and he and his family ran the ice cream booth at the annual IAV Festival for a number of years. Ed was an employee of Moore Business Forms for 31 years and retired as a supervisor in 1986. He then went on to work for Welliver Construction Inc, St. Anthony's Church as the head of maintenance and most recently enjoyed working as a school crossing guard at the corner of Franklin Street and Pennsylvania Ave in Elmira. Eddie enjoyed spending time with his family, caring for his well-manicured yard, watching the New York Yankees and New York Giants and giving any of his grandchildren/great grandchildren rides wherever they needed to go. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, on Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church. Committal prayers, with military honors, will follow at Woodlawn National Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made in Eddie's name to Smile Train, c/o Blessed Sacrament Parish, 604 Park Place, Elmira NY 14901, an organization that helps children born with cleft palates. The family would like to extend its thanks to Drs. Dayakar Reddy, Serge Dauphin, Rose Byland, staffs of Falck Cancer Center, Arnot Ogden Skilled Nursing Facility, and Southern Tier Hospice for the compassionate care provided to Ed. Members of the Italian American Veterans Club will meet at McInerny Funeral Home on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. to conduct a memorial service for our departed comrade, Edward O. Sophia, Jr. Signed, Gino Dunn, Commander