Edward Passerotti went to heaven on December 9, 2013. The world lost one of the good guys on that day. After being told he had about 24 hours to live, this 82 year old kept his spirits high (and everyone else‘s), and his chin up and enjoyed and entertained his family with songs, his infectious smile, and laughter for the next five days. Ed (Fast Eddy in his firefighter days) was born in Erie, Pennsylvania and graduated from Saint Vincent High School, where he played his favorite sport of baseball.
He loaded up his family in his old black Buick, and moved them to Phoenix, AZ in June of 1960, where he was quickly accepted into the Phoenix Fire Academy. He spent the majority of his 20+ year career at Station 30 where he was the ping pong champ! After his family, being a firefighter was his greatest accomplishment. He loved his job, and he loved people and helping them. Those traits were carried into his other side jobs as a landlord of several rental houses, a limo service, and in his early days, taxi cab driver. He was quick to open his heart, his home, and maybe a little more reluctantly, his wallet. He was there for anyone who needed him, and he loved unconditionally.
By far, his greatest joy and love was his family. Within days of his diagnosis of an aortic aneurysm, his children, grandchildren, and loved ones flew in from all over the United States to get their last chance to be close to him, to get a hug, hear him laugh, and tell him what a difference he‘d made in their lives. He always made every single person feel like he or she was the best and most important person in the world. He was the heart of the family, and anyone was always welcome in his arms.
Ed loved life. He enjoyed watching sunrises and sunsets. He loved swimming and could do it for hours. He wasn’t content to stand on the shore, but would swim out as far as he could! He loved playing ping pong, which he did the evening before he passed away. He could beat all of us at Scrabble and chess, and he loved playing cars with his great-grandson. In his younger days, he loved playing baseball, and the Detroit Tigers were his favorite team for over 70 years. When it came to music, he loved classical, blues, jazz, and rock ‘n roll. His family of fans’ favorite was his rendition of Chantilly Lace by the Big Bopper. He loved listening to Pete Pearson, The Doors, Caterina Valente, Sarah Brightman, Eva Cassady and dozens more.
He didn’t just stop to smell the roses; he stopped to smell all the flowers, study plants, pet a dog, look at the clouds, or pick up a piece of trash. He had a very special love for, and gift with children. He knew how to make believe, and how to play at their level. He tickled, chased, cuddled, laughed and cried with them. Mostly he listened to them, taught them, and
treasured them.
This incredible dad, daddy, grandpa, grampie, step-dad, honorary dad, retired firefighter was an amazing man, adored by his family, respected by his co-workers, and enjoyed by anyone lucky enough to meet him. We can say with faith, that he will continue to shine his love and light on us from above. He loved God and he loved all of His creation.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Frieda Passerotti, his father, William Passerotti, and brothers William, Daniel, and Richard Passerotti. He is survived by his five children, Barbara Cage (Randy), Donald Passerotti, Patricia Smith (Ron), Cheryl "Shakes" Corum (Rip), and their mother, Virginia Passerotti, and April Lemieux (Leo), and her mother, Kathleen Reese. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter, five step-children, 12 step-grandchildren, and nine step great-grandchildren. Each one was special and greatly loved, and he meant the world to every one of them.
A visitation will be held Friday, at 12:00 p.m., December 13, 2013 at A.L. Moore Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 W. Bethany Home Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85313. The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 14th, at 1:00 p.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 4001 W. Beardsley Rd, Glendale, AZ 85308. The following Tuesday, December 17th, Ed will be laid to rest at Glendale Memorial Park and Cemetery, 7844 N. 61st Avenue, Glendale, Az 85301. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, www.wish.org or Tumbleweed center for Youth Development, www.tumbleweed.org.
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