Edward Richard Fleetwood

Edward Richard Fleetwood, 86, lost his ten-year battle against prostate cancer on December 2, 2016 at his home in Phoenix, AZ. The oldest of five boys, Ed was born in Norwalk, CT on October 27, 1930. In Norwalk high school, he played baseball, football, and basketball. He was an avid Dodgers and New England Patriots fan. But his favorite sport was golf, playing whenever he could. Upon graduating from high school in 1949, Ed joined the Air Force, served for four years and fought in the Korean War. In 1951, while enjoying time off from his U.S. base, Ed, dressed in uniform, met the love of his life, Anna Mandala, at a church dance. Although she was only fifteen at the time, Anna was swept off her feet by the handsome man in uniform. Ed graduated from Stone College in 1957 in New Haven, CT with an accounting degree. After Anna had graduated from college in 1958, Ed married her that summer. Ed fathered three children with Anna: Jeff, Scott, and Lori. They were married for 57.5 years. Ed was a grandfather to his granddaughter, Shea Fleetwood, Scott and Lesa’s child. He also was an uncle to nephews Jon, Blaze, Bobby, and Gary Michael and nieces Gerolynn and Penny. Ed enjoyed good westerns and spy thrillers and had a talent for figuring out “who done it”. Ed loved Italian food and ate plenty of it having married a woman of Italian descent. Although Ed was an accountant, he didn’t like desk work all day long. With his natural charisma, honesty, and knack for numbers, he became a superstar life insurance salesman for John Hancock Financial Services for 33 years. He is survived by his brothers, Bruce, of New Milford, CT, and Gary, of Tucson, AZ, as well as by his children. Ed was a wonderful, loving, generous father and husband and a good man. He will be forever missed and always loved. Thank you Gardens of Scottsdale and Hospice of the Valley for all the care you provided.