Edward Daly Sr.

Edward Daly, Sr.
Edward Daly, Sr., 90, of Vernon, passed away on March 6, 2024, with his family at his side. He was predeceased by his wife Helena who was the love of his life. He was grateful for the care given to him during his illness by his loving and devoted daughters Elizabeth Daly and Margaret Daly of Vernon and his caregiver Matthew Gomez.
Ed is also survived by his children Edward Daly and his partner Lillian Lopez of Glastonbury, Mary Boudreau and her husband Todd of Stafford, Helena Wasilefsky and her husband Craig of Wales, MA, his daughter-in-law Nancy Daly of Vernon, seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his two sisters Catherine Daly of Glastonbury and Mary Daly of West Hartford. He was predeceased by his brothers Michael Daly of Minnesota and John Daly of Glastonbury. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Ed was born in Hartford to the late Michael and Catherine Daly who instilled in him the values of service from a young age. He was brought up by a politically active family where he learned that one must fight for effective representation to improve working families. He served in the Korean Conflict 1953-1955 as a radio operator where he learned Morse code. Upon returning from service, Ed graduated from the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture with a degree in Animal Science.
Ed was employed by the State and began his career as a Dairy Inspector for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He was a founding employee of the Department of Environmental Protection where he was a Land Agent in the Soil Conservation Division and where he supervised the construction of small watershed flood control works. He helped establish the Open Space Program. He also established Tidal Wetland Program for the state and brought the salt marshes under regulation. He later became Assistant Director of Land Acquisition for the DEP.
He moved his family to Vernon in 1969 and became active in regional and Vernon politics and was campaign manager for four mayoral candidates and three were elected, John Drost, Steve Marcham and Ellen Marmer. He served as the Vernon Democratic Town Committee Chair from 2001-2003 where he delivered a democratic mayor and the majority on the Board of Education and Town Council.
Ed believed that the workforce was a community where they worked together to improve their own condition. As a union leader Ed worked tirelessly on working families' issues. Ed was one of the founders the Connecticut State Employee Association (CSEA) Union. He became the Vice President of the bargaining unit that represented the State Engineers and helped elect Ella Grasso Governor, who in 1975 gave the state employees the right to form a union. Ed held many positions in the CSEA Union and in 1986 was elected President of the entire organization and served as President until his retirement. He was instrumental in the SEBAC agreement in 1992 which gave the State one billion dollars in savings through state employee give backs. He retired from State service in 1992. He was President of the CSEA Retirees from 2008-2022.
Ed an avid model railroader and has built several tracks was an avid Red Sox fan.
Relatives and friends may join the family on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 4 pm - 8 pm at the Burke-Fortin Funeral Home, 76 Prospect St., Rockville, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday March 14, 2024, at 11 am at St. Bernard's Church, 25 St. Bernard's Terrace, Rockville. Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery, 25 Kingsbury Ave., Rockville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the McCusker Scholarship Fund, CSEA 760 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106, Attn: McCusker Scholarship Fund. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.