Edward Blodgett

1932 - 2014

Edward Masters Blodgett

- - A Beautiful Man Loved By All - -

HYDE PARK - Edward Masters Blodgett, a longtime resident of Hyde Park and Canaan, New York died on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 in Hyde Park with this family by his side.

Born March 9, 1932 in Worcester, MA, he was the son of the late A. Raymond Blodgett and Louise May Masters Blodgett.

A 1954 graduate of Harvard College, Ed proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

He worked at IBM for 34 years until his retirement in 1991.

Community service was very important to Ed, and he was very active in his community. He was a member and past president of the Hyde Park Lions Club since 1963, and also served as District Governor from 1996-97.

Ed served on many different boards and councils over the years. He was an RSVP Advisory Council Member from 1980-2006 and was the Council Chair from 1991-93; he was an Association for Senior Citizens Board Member from 1993-99 and served as President from 1997-99; an American Red Cross, Dutchess County Chapter Board Member between the years of 1993-99; the National Federation of the Blind Mid-Hudson Chapter Member and Treasurer since 1975; a Lighthouse International Advisory Board Member from 1985-2001, and was a Board Chair between 1991-94; a Lions Eye Bank and Northeast Sight Society Board Member since 1968 and past President and Board Chair.

He was also a member of the Dutchess County Lions Sight Restoration Program since 1964 and past chairperson; member of the Ulster County Sight and Hearing Committee since 1999 and past Chair and Secretary since 2003; a Lions Foundation at Albany Trustee since 1994 and secretary from 1998-2004; and a member of the Lions Eye Institute from 2004 to present.

Since 1973, Ed had been very involved in two local programs that were very important to him, the 'Hyde Park Summer Concerts in the Park' and the 'Christmas Tree Lighting at Hyde Park Town Hall'.

Ed was also a member of the Harvard Club of the Hudson Valley.

From his many services, Ed received many significant awards such as: the Life Member of Lions Club International in 1988; the DeWitt Clinton Masonic Award for Community Service in 1993; a Knight of the Blind, Lions Eye Institute at Albany in 1997; the JC Penny Golden Rule Award for Volunteer Service in 2000; and he received the honor of being named a Melvin Jones Fellow in 2007.

Survivors include his son, Keith Masters Blodgett and wife, Leslie, of San Francisco, CA; daughter, Donna Joy Lita, of Austin, TX; three grandchildren, Trent Masters Blodgett, of San Francisco, CA, and Nicole and Jody Lita, both of Austin, TX; sister, Marilyn Williamson of Winchester, MA; and two nieces and one nephew.

He is also survived by his partner in life Gert Trani, and her family: Chris Trani and Shelley, Cathy Trani, their children, Sophia, Ben, and Jack Trani, and Maxwell and Sam Armstrong.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm, Tuesday, January 21st at Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. James A. Garisto at 10 am, Wednesday, January 22nd at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel of Saint Peter's Parish, 99 Inwood Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY

Entombment will follow in Our Lady of the Holy Souls Mausoleum at St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie.

Ed's family respectfully requests memorial donations to the Hyde Park Lions Club, P.O. Box 58, Hyde Park, NY 12538 or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

To send an online condolence, or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com