Ramsey, Edward

Edward C. Ramsey, age 73, passed away on May 3, 2012, in Wilton, CT. Services will be held in Athens, IL at the Mott & Henning Funeral Home located at 206 N. Main Street, 217-636-8212. Visitation will be held Friday, June 1, 2012, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with the funeral being on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial at Hall Cemetery.

Edward was born to Edward and Cleo Ramsey in Sangamon County, Illinois on February 18, 1939. He was the second oldest of five children and was raised in Illiopolis, IL. He graduated from Illiopolis High School in 1957 and then worked for the State of Illinois as an engineer while attending Springfield College before graduating from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, in 1962 with a degree in Engineering. Edward served in the Illinois National Guard in Springfield for 15 years. In 1967, Ed earned his pilot’s license and began his 32-year career with American Airlines, five of which were as Check Airman. Ed met SuAnne Fehr in 1978 on the ski slopes, when Ed was racing for American Airlines Ski Team. Soon they realized they shared the same pursuits and passions in life. Ed married SuAnne in 1982 and made their home in Connecticut where they raised two sons, Michael and Aaron. After his retirement in 1999, as Captain for American Airlines, he moved his family to Lyon, France, for 4 years so his sons could become prolific in the French language and experience other cultures. As a family they traveled extensively and loved learning together, and also enjoyed many ski trips all over the world.

Ed was an accomplished classical pianist taking weekly lessons at the Connecticut School of Music. He was training to play solo repertoires, by such composers as Chopin and Mozart, requiring an incredible amount of skill and finesse. He was committed to playing each piece just as the composer intended. Ed immersed himself in all kinds of music especially Jazz. He was very dedicated to promoting Jazz by hosting fundraising concerts within the community. He loved opening up his home for entertaining guests, even sometimes hiring professional jazz musicians. They loved to perform in his home, not only because of its outstanding acoustics, but because Ed was gifted at making friends and family feel truly welcome.

It was also very important to Ed that he continually demonstrate his love for music so that his sons would always have music as a part of their lives. Ed was a man of many passions, the greatest of which was his family. He was extremely supportive of SuAnne in her career, her hobbies and their shared interests. Ed’s passion for life grew as time went on, and his greatest joy was watching Michael and Aaron at their athletic events and musical performances. He was humbled by their many talents.

He also had a passion for woodworking, whether he was making furniture or building houses. His love for woodworking led to his building the family home in Connecticut where he cleared the land, built the lane, and laid the foundation for the house. The home was modeled after the Geodesic Dome Home invented by Architect Buckminster Fuller. With the help of his friends, they laid the complex angular structures and glass triangles. It was the most customized dome that Ed had ever seen. He recently completed a large barn on the property with the wood from trees harvested and milled from the family land.

Ed was not complacent in love, life or learning and always strived to reach the next level of expertise. He was a career student. He had attended cooking school at Bocuse Institute, at the castle in Ecully, France, attended French classes at Alliance Française, Lyon, and was continuously enrolling himself in classes at the local community college. He enjoyed reading books and reading about current events. He also enjoyed the plants and openness of the atrium in the house. He was a lover of animals, especially his family pets, and will always be remembered for cheering on the NY Jets, and the NY Mets.

If you knew Ed, then you knew he cared deeply for others, offering his help whenever needed. He was an inspiration to others just by the positive way he approached life. He had an incredible network of friends and peers. He loved to debate issues with his friends in the Prometheum Club. Ed passionately stood up for what he believed in, always trying to make the world a better place.

Ed will be greatly missed in so many ways by his family and many special friends, but he will live on fondly in our hearts and our memories. Surviving are his wife, SuAnne Fehr-Ramsey, Wilton, CT, and his two sons, Michael and Aaron Ramsey, both of Wilton, CT. He is also survived by one brother, Archie (Virgie) Ramsey, Murray, KY; three sisters, Shirley (Jimmy) Snyder, Moweaqua, IL, Judy (Lorry) Hudson, Desert Hot Springs, CA, and Carol (Harold) Brown, Springfield, IL. Also, sisters-in-law, Lauri Fehr Hinrichsen, Sandy Fehr Davis, and Kate Fehr Osipowich.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to the Stanley Medical Research Institute for Mental Health, in honor of Edward Cutler Ramsey, 8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 200, Chevy Chase, MD, or Edward Cutler Ramsey Memorial Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, 44 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT 06897, or the charity of your choosing.