Edward A. Greenwood, VIII

Edward Anthony Greenwood, VIII, 86, of Delmar, N.Y. died peacefully just before midnight on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. He had suffered a stroke while winding his grandfather clock earlier that day, and was spirited away just ahead of the incoming blizzard.

Born on Oct. 9, 1939 in Pittsfield, Mass., Edward experienced poverty as a child, moving from relative to relative in search of a nurturing home. Later, a heart murmur caused him to be discharged from the Army and he was so devastated by this broken dream that he almost leaped from a bridge. He would often speak of how he had tried to emigrate to Australia, but was turned away from that, too.

His luck changed when he moved to Buffalo for a job on the railroad and fell in love with the girl next door, who would become his dearest friend, the mother of his four children and a steadfast companion for the rest of his life. Working long hours but always desiring a Bigger Life, he played the guitar, wrote songs, studied gemology, traded diamonds and gold, took photographs, rode motorcycles, learned leatherworking, and designed a creative line of men’s clothing. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Ancient Temple Lodge No. 14, and as a Cyprus Shriner, devoted his spare time to driving sick children to Shriners Childrens’ in Springfield, Mass., not to mention being a master of magic tricks, to the thrill of any child who met him.

Working on the railroad, Edward mastered the art of hopping from freight car to freight car, and later, enjoyed the more social elements of being a conductor on passenger trains between Buffalo, Albany and New York City. Random encounters with strangers provided him with endless marvel and he loved to spin tales about his adventures and conversations.

When asked recently what he wanted to be remembered for, Ed paused for a long time before replying, “That I was funny.”

Ed -- also known as Eddy, Big Ed and Poppy -- was, in fact, hilarious. He had a wry perspective on how the world worked, a vivid talent for elaborate storytelling, an impeccable sense of timing, and a bold zest for jokes and pranks. After his long-wished-for retirement from CSX after 40 years of service, he spent decades holding court at his home in Delmar, entertaining bluegrass musicians, secret society members, neighbors and lost souls with music, coffee and conversation. He reveled in frequent conversations with his beloved children, bestowing advice, laughter and jokes, especially with Jason, with whom he talked every day.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Judith Bryan Greenwood, his children, Edward Anthony Greenwood IX (Jackie), Kellianne Greenwood (Daniel Shovlin), Jason Greenwood (Joleen), Justin Greenwood (Amanda) and Denise Reneau. He also leaves 11 grandchildren -- Edward Anthony X, Jack, Mary Bridget, Liam, Colette, Carter, Clifford, Bijou, Sylvia, Rick and Virginia, three siblings, Thomas Sulock, Deborah Nordby and Stephen Sulock and sisters-in-law Wendy Kirisits and Joan McClintock. He is predeceased by nine months by his beloved brother, Richard (whom Ed kept insisting was in the house visiting on the morning of his death), his mother, Ethel Wheeler Sulock, his father Clifford Greenwood and an estranged brother, Peter Sulock.

A funeral mass will be held sometime in March at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar. Donations in Edward’s name may be made to the Yellow Brick Road Project or Shriners Children's Hospital.