John Edward "Ed" Neely

John Edward "Ed" Neely of Vestal, NY was called to the Lord unexpectedly on August 19, 2025. He was predeceased by his parents, Thelma A. and Robert W. "Rip" Neely, and his brother Robert W. Neely III. He is survived by his wife, Chelsea Gavazzi-Neely, his sister Lori (Joseph) Neely Thorn, his daughter, Rhiley A. Neely, his grandson Liam A. Zuk, his in-laws, Robert and Christine Gavazzi and his brother-in-law, Todd Gavazzi. Ed was born on 8/24/66 and celebrated his 59th birthday in heaven just 5 days after passing. Ed was the most genuine, loyal, down to earth and hardworking man this world has ever known. He would give the shirt off his back to the people he loved and would be the first to help with anything they needed. Ed was a straight shooter, a man of his word and was never afraid to tell anyone how he felt. He had a heart as big as his mouth, and a laugh and presence that would fill any room. He touched so many people's lives from his workplace (Vacri Construction), to childhood friends, his friends out in PA and his friends up at the lake in Syracuse. Ed has so many friends that became his "brothers" and he considered all of them family. Ed enjoyed riding through PA on his Harley, spending time on the lake boating and jet skiing and tinkering/rebuilding any machine or vehicle he could get his hands on. He truly was a master of all trades and a MacGyver with anything mechanical. If you didn't know Ed personally with his deep, raspy voice and muscular, intimidating stature, often being mistaken for "Stone Cold Steve Austin," you would never guess what a kind, compassionate and thoughtful man he truly was. This side was exposed to its fullest when he met the love of his life, Chelsea, and the two began dating on New Year's Eve. Within less than two months of dating, the once never interested in marriage man was nervously headed to his future father-in-laws house to ask for his permission to marry his daughter. The unlikely pair were married a year to the day they started dating and have shared a once in a lifetime love story. The once wild, up for anything, risk taker became the most loving, sweet and gentle husband. His life intertwined with hers and he effortlessly became a cherished member of her large family and created a bond that he had so missed since the passing of his father and brother. Their love story on this earth was cut short after a mere 7 years together but their soul bond will last an eternity. We know Ed will be watching over her and all of the many people whose lives he touched from the heavens alongside his father and brother.
Chelsea, his wife, would like to thank Lauren and Steve Huff, Raymond Hunter, Rick Simon, Pat Monaco, Roberto DeVincentis, all of Ed's friends that have been so supportive from Vestal, PA, Appalachian and Syracuse during this time as well as her own family and friends for helping her navigate through the loss of her soulmate.
There will be a private funeral mass at Sts. John and Andrew Church, 1263 Vestal Avenue in Binghamton, on September 6th @ 10 am. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date where all are welcome to come and celebrate Ed's life.