Let the funeral dirge ring out from Reservoir to Pontiac, for Edward McDonough, the unelected but widely acknowledged mayor of Garden City, Cranston, has passed from this life. He died at home after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Providence, to Thomas and Alice (Casey) McDonough, Ed was the devoted husband of the extremely patient Judith (Nelson) McDonough, who worked alongside him in the family business for nearly 40 years and greeted his most impractical schemes with an indulgent smile, a shake of the head, and a slightly exasperated “Oh, Eddy!”  But let it be said that his wife, Judie, loved and supported him in all he did and said, from bringing home rescue dogs, to community involvement, to new business ideas.

Edward was the proud father of Kirk and Tracy, the open-hearted father-in-law to Aileen (Nagle) McDonough, and the exceedingly, vocally joyful “Pop Pop” to Shane and Catherine. If you see his bright orange Mini Cooper zipping around town in the summer, don’t do a double take — he gave Cate permission to drive it. 

Family was very important to him, including his brothers, Thomas (dec) and Robert, his sister, Patricia (dec), his sisters-in-law Patricia McDonough, Marylyn McDonough (dec), Joan Nelson, and Barbara Nelson, and his brothers-in-law Charles Nelson and J. Richard Nelson (dec). Nieces and nephews Thomas and Christopher McDonough, Adam Remick, Jennifer and Jeffrey Nelson, Erick (dec), Ryan (dec), Kristin Nelson, and Kelly (Nelson) Lamb as well as their assorted partners and children were also beloved (and joked with, constantly) by Uncle Eddy. 

Now, to his list of community services and accomplishments. Time for those dollar store readers, dear friends, for this man was a pillar of the community and we shall not see his like again. 

As a young(er) man, Ed served in the US Army, Airborne, which gave him the opportunity to develop a sense of courageous adventure and a set of knees and hips that benefited greatly from the advances in joint replacement later in life. In business, he was intrepid yet personable, charming clients from Johnston to Japan. In addition to being the founder and president of E.W. McDonough Company, Inc., he served as Chair, RI Retail Federation; President, Rotary Club of Warwick; Assistant Governor, Rotary District 7950; and Member, Rotary Club of Cranston and Jaycees, and has the swag to prove it. Ed also chaired the boards of directors for Occupations Unlimited and Hillsgrove House. He was (we believe, and no one has come forward to dispute this) the only man to play the time-honored kids’ ball game of “Outs” (IYKYK) on the Great Wall of China. Ed was active in his faith, as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Cranston Council 1738, a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mark’s Church in Cranston, and, through the last days of his life, a Communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston. He was also active and interested in politics, serving three terms on the Cranston School Committee and as Chair of the Cranston Republican Party, though in the end, he was leaning towards voting Democrat, after watching the Democratic National Convention from his recliner. Sports was a lifelong passion for Ed. He worked for the Providence Reds hockey team, led the Providence Bruins Booster Club, and went on to become the founder and owner of the Rhode Island Storm Professional Hockey Club. Sports also provided a way to support his children in their endeavors, which he was always happy to do, giving of his time and talents as VP and Coach of the Budlong Youth Baseball League; Coach for GALS Youth Softball; and a member of the RI Swim Coaches and Officials Association.

Above all, Ed was a people person who earned the title “Mayor of Garden City” in a Cranston Herald article. After a stint in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Warwick Division, and as an avid golf and social member of the Warwick Country Club, he took his show on the road. In the past 27 years, he could be found first thing every morning in the seat in the corner by the window at the Starbucks in Garden City, chatting with his beloved friends, dogs, and baristas. Anyone who was lucky enough to walk in for a grande pumpkin spice latte would find themselves on the receiving end of his cheery hello and warm smile. 

“You make connections, you talk about everything, you learn something new every day,” Ed said about the daily coffee court. “We make people laugh, and that’s what the world should be.” We should all be so lucky to begin our days this way and end them with the knowledge that we have made a difference in the lives of family, friends, and acquaintances who were never strangers for long. Rest in peace, Ed — if there’s a Starbucks in heaven, we know you’re there already, greeting the newcomers with a smile. 

Visiting hours for Edward McDonough will take place from 4:00-7:00 pm on Thursday September 12, 2024 in The Butterfield Chapel, 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday September 13, 2024 in the Immaculate Conception Church 237 Garden Hills Drive Cranston. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Immaculate Conception Church, Cranston, RI in Ed’s name. 

 

............And if you really want to honor him, take some time and buy a friend a cup of coffee and catch up. Life is short, and the people in it are what make it worthwhile.