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Edward Potoma Obituary
Edward M. Potoma a resident of Pearl River, NY for 27 years, died Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, MA. He was 58. Ed retired in June 2010 after 32 years as a dedicated teacher at the Community School in the White Plains School District where he was a leader of his peers and a guiding hand for his students. He was born January 31, 1953 in Brooklyn, NY to John and Lorraine Potoma. A 1975 graduate of Manhattan College, Ed earned his PhD from Teachers College Columbia University in 1985. On April 1, 1978 he married Suzanne, whom he loved very much, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Jackson Heights, NY. Locally, in recent years, Ed pursued his passion for theater as a Board member, Producer and Actor at the Elmwood Community Playhouse. He was also a gun enthusiast and member of the Suffern Gun Club, an active participant in the Rockland Astronomy Club and a lifelong musician. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne E. Potoma of Pearl River; daughters, Alison Potoma and Julianne Potoma Tamucci of Pearl River and father, Alfred Zettwoch of Deltona, FL. He is predeceased by his parents, John and Lorraine and brother, John Jr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 AM Saturday at St. Aedan's R.C. Church, Pearl River. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY. Visiting is Friday, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 PM at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home Inc.
WYMAN-FISHER
Funeral Home Inc.
100 Franklin Ave.
Pearl River, NY 10965
845-735-2161
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Memories and Condolences
for Edward Potoma
Suzanne Potoma
July 28, 2024
I will love you for a thousand years.
Love,
Suzy
William Bryk
July 28, 2024
A good man, a good husband, a good friend. Ed was irreplaceable in so many lives. I look forward to our first conversation in the next life.
Suzanne potoma
July 29, 2023
Another year without you.
Love always,
Suzy
Suzanne Potoma
July 28, 2020
I miss you everyday, my dear, sweet Ed.
Love always,
Suzy
William Bryk
July 28, 2019
Earlier this year, Margaret Reinkl wrote in The New York Times, Late midlife is invariably a time of loss. If youre very lucky, the losses are utterly ordinaryBut being ordinary doesnt make loss less painful.
The loss of an irreplaceable friend and brother. My feelings were most eloquently expressed by another man, the early 20th century diplomat, soldier, and poet Maurice Baring:
No one shall take your place.
No other face
Can fill that empty frame.
There is no answer when we call your name.
We cannot hear your step upon the stair.
We turn to speak and find a vacant chair.
Something is broken which we cannot mend.
God has done more than take away a friend
In taking you; for all that we have left
Is bruised and irremediably bereft.
There is none like you. Yet not that alone
Do we bemoan;
But this; that you were greater than the rest,
And better than the best.
Ruth Ann Verde
August 1, 2012
Always in my heart. I miss you dear nephew!
Suzanne Potoma
July 31, 2012
My dear, beautiful Ed, I love you. Suzy x x x x
Eliseo Lugo
September 17, 2011
Was just thinking about you this morning Ed and one of your sayings during our staff meetings "fine young lad" You are sorely missed my friend, rest in peace.
Samuel koshovawicz
September 15, 2011
we are truly sad about this terrible news. may he rest in peace. he was a great teacher, and a amazing person.
September 15, 2011
Dear family,
Mr.Potoma was a wonderful teacher. I have never had someone so dedicated to a bunch of kids. He will be in my thought forever. I am very sorry for your loss.
Lucie
September 15, 2011
Mr. Potoma was a great teacher. He was our eighth grade science teacher. I remember the first day I met him he came into our classroom and said in this class I will give you cookies we'll take a nap and then I'll give you all 20 bucks. We all laughed knowing he was joking. He made sciene a fun place to be. I will never forget him. He changed a part of me.
Daniellle Gale
August 26, 2011
Dear family of Mr.Potoma,
He will be missed very much at Parkside. As one of the most fun teachers at our school. He will be thought of often.
I am very sorry for your loss.
August 26, 2011
Edward Potoma was a great guywho was always loved by many people he was a great teacher and person he will always be in my heart.
~Taylor Sullivan
August 25, 2011
To the family of Mr.
Edward M. Potoma we are so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful science teacher To our Daughter and he will be missed at the Middle School at Parkside.
God Bless The Couture Family.
Megan LeBlanc
August 25, 2011
Edward Potoma was an amazing teahcer and friend. He will always be in my heart and prayers. We will miss you very much.
Sincerely,Team 7-1 Mountain View Middle School.
Megan Leblanc
August 25, 2011
We so very sad to hear this terribly news we had mr. potoma for 8 weeks this year because out teacher was having her baby and he was our subsitute and so many of us were hoping to have him this year. We ate going to miss him so much. He will be missed very much, and he will be remembered as a wonderful teacher and a wonderful person. We will miss you Mr. Potoma!
Sincerely,
Team 7-1 from Mountain View Middle School, Goffstown, N.H. 03045
Lauren Thibault
August 25, 2011
I'm so sad ! Edward was a great teacher we would always talk in school and on the last day of school I made a goodbye card! He was such a funny guy and I feel so bad for the family and friends for loosing an amazing person and teacher and he will always b in my preyers and in my heart!
Dayle and Jeff Weiss
August 9, 2011
Dear Suzanne,
We were saddened to hear about the loss of your beloved Edward. He always made Dayle and myself feel welcome when we got together and when we attended your barbecue many summers ago for the BP Pipeline clan. Please extend our condolences to both you and your lovely daughters . If you need us we are here for you.
William Bryk
August 7, 2011
Suzanne, it has been so many years since I have seen Ed and yet I remember him vividly as one of the smartest and most sensible men I've known: a true friend and brother. He helped make my time at Manhattan College more fun and more memorable. Please accept my deepest sympathy on his death. God willing, we will all meet again in a happier place.
August 5, 2011
Dear Suzanne -
Harry and I remember Ed well from our CMSV and Manhattan days. We cherish the memories. Our condolences to you and your daughters.
Shannon and Harry Wolf, Fairport, NY
Isaac Gray
August 4, 2011
If it wasn't for Ed and his advice on how to be a better man I wouldn't be where I am today. I will always remember Ed not only as a good friend but as a second father. May you rest in peace and my condolences go out to his family.
Lauren Buffone
August 4, 2011
I knew Ed very well during my years at the community school. He was a great and caring teacher, as well as a good person. Ed was one of the few teachers I had in my school career that actually cared and helped his students (even the students most teachers had given up on). His passing, so suddenly, and at such a young age, is a huge loss and shame. My condolences go to his surviving wife and children, as well as his co-workers and friends. May he rest in peace, and may his loved ones find the comfort and strength they need.
fjohn reinke (mc1968)
August 4, 2011
The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any man's death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
Sarah Richardson
August 4, 2011
Suzanne, Julianne and Alliosn. I'm sorry for your loss, please accept my deepest condolences. I was a student at Alpha Community school about 30 years ago, he was a wonderful person. You and your family are in my prayers. May god grant you strength and comfort you all in your time of need.
Shannon M
August 3, 2011
I am truly sorry for your loss. Ed was a great person! I was one of his kids at ALPHA....he was always caring and helpful. He was one of the reason I made it! Thanks Ed!
jose moledo
August 3, 2011
one conversation with ed was all it took for me to see how much his students meant to him. he was not even my
teacher but his words left an
indelible mark on my memory
and i still use them as one of
the cornerstones on which my
character stands. it has been i daresay, almost 30 years since i graduated and it feels like yesterday. thanks ed!:)
Karen Swenson
August 3, 2011
Suzanne, Alison, and Julianne - please accept my heartfelt sympathy on your lost of a wonderful husband and father. May you find strength in God during this difficult time and may all your wonderful memories help you through this trying time. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Beth Benton Burrell
August 3, 2011
My condolences to all of the friends and family. Ed was a wonderful man and will be missed.
Tana Williams
August 3, 2011
My sincere condolences to the family. Ed was my teacher at WP Community School more than 20 years ago and I will always remember him as a kind, giving educator.
Kathy and Gene
August 3, 2011
Suzanne, Alison and Julianne,
Ed was such a great person. We were honored to have him as our friend.
Love,
Kathy and Gene
Jim Poulin
August 3, 2011
I am very very saddened by the loss of a wonderful man. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of his friends and family. Ed..you will be missed. God Bless!!
Gayle Tamucci-Gironda
August 3, 2011
Suzanne, Alison, and Julianne, I am so sorry for your loss. We will always remember Ed as jovial and devoted to his family. Dee was very lucky to have been included in your clan and embraced by your loving father and husband. Jason sends his love and condolences and we will both see you later in the week. - Gayle
August 3, 2011
Suzanne, Alison & Julianne,
To know him was to LOVE him. I was honored to have such a wonderful nephew who has left me with many cherished memories. Our loss is shared by many. All my thoughts & prayers.
Love Ruth Ann
Eze Hayes
August 3, 2011
Suzanne, Alison and Julianne,
I hope you can find some solace in the wonderful memories I know you must have of Ed. I have memories of our many conversations which will remain with me forever. May God continue to give you comfort and strength.
Love,
Eze
Eliseo and Kayleen Lugo
August 3, 2011
Kayleen and I wish to express our sympathy to Suzanne, Julieanne, and Allison during these difficult times. Ed was a kind soul with a tremendous heart who will be sorely missed.
Anne Marie Coles
August 3, 2011
Suazanne, Alison and Julianne, Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Anne Marie and Michael Coles
mark mcgowan
August 3, 2011
mark&maureen mcgowan (mc/cmsv '76)
round hill, va
Penny & Tom Graf
August 2, 2011
Ed was a kind man, always gracious to our family when we visited Susquehanna University. The Potoma family made our daughter one of their own. We share their sorrow.
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