Edward John "Ed" Sopneski

2/27/1935 - 4/12/2022

Old Lyme - Edward John "Ed" Sopneski passed away peacefully April 12, 2022, after a recent cancer diagnosis. His final days were spent lovingly with his family at home. Ed was the son of Edward Adam Sopneski and Stasia Frances (Morawski) Sopneski of Branford. He was born at St. Raphael Hospital in New Haven, Feb. 27, 1935.

Ed graduated from Branford High School, Class of 1952. He attended the University of Connecticut, studying electrical engineering, before joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957, where he proudly served his country. He was stationed in Okinawa, for 13 months, attained corporal rank as a specialist in code communication and was honorably discharged in 1960.

In 1961 Ed married June Kensel. They bought a home in Old Lyme, where they raised their three sons. The family loved living near the ocean, the Connecticut River and the tidal wetlands. Ed's wife predeceased him, as did their beloved son Kenny. He leaves two cherished sons, Ed (Dana) and John (Gina); grandchildren, Ryan and Julianna (Ed) and Steven and Leah (John). He also leaves behind his dearly loved sister Elizabeth "Betty Ann," her husband Ed; their three sons and families; and sister-in-law Susie Smith (Walter); as well as many cherished cousins in Branford and Bristol.

From his youngest days, he was keenly interested in nature, conservation and the environment. He especially loved birds and knew their calls. His fishing pole never gathered dust. In the mid-1970s, Ed and friend Jennifer Hillhouse joined with other pioneers who led the successful restoration of the Osprey population in Old Lyme, and the lower Connecticut River. In 1974, there were only nine osprey nests in Connecticut. Ed and Jennifer joined others who built and installed large nest platforms, counted eggs and chicks and maintained the nests.

Preserving open space was another of Ed's keen interests. He participated in the purchase campaign for the Watch Rock section of the Old Lyme Land Trust Preserve spending years and untold hours removing invasive plants that were endangering native trees and plants in this preserve. Sitting on a camp stool as he worked, Ed was a familiar figure to those enjoying the trails. He carried dog biscuits for furry friends. He cleared an incredible three acres of invasive plants by 2016, and was named the Trust's Steward Extraordinaire. Quietly, working with hand tools and a bow saw, Ed worked diligently and methodically until recently, when cancer took its toll.

Before he retired, Ed was employed many years by The Day Publishing Company in New London. He also worked part time for Roger Tory Peterson and his wife Virginia, as a gardener. Ed designed, installed and maintained a beautiful butterfly garden for them.

Ed's greatest love on this earth was his family. He and June especially enjoyed their grandchildren. At family gatherings, Ed would follow his grandchildren around with a video camera, getting a kick out of the children's antics and talk.

Funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. June 4, at the Deep River Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Deep River. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Old Lyme Land Trust, Box 163, Old Lyme, CT 06371, or to www.oldlymelandtrust.org. Condolences may be sent to: www.legacy.com/obituaries/theday.