Edward T. Carter of Fredricksburg, VA died unexpectedly on Friday, August 24. He was 53. Eddie dedicated his life to helping others, working and volunteering as a first responder since he was 15 years old. He was a firefighter in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Manilla, Philippines. He served seven years as a paramedic in the New York City Fire Department, as well as Horry County Emergency Services and Georgetown County Fire/EMS, where he was promoted to Lieutenant. He also served two years as a firefighter/paramedic in Baghdad, Iraq. He has been a member of the Peekskill Ambulance Corps and the Verplanck and Montrose Fire Departments since his teens. He was also a certified Rescue Diver and served on several scuba rescue teams. He was passionate about his calling and served as a certified instructor and mentor to hundreds of firefighters and paramedics throughout his career. He earned countless awards and citations throughout his career for saving lives and teaching others.
He was a graduate of Hendrick Hudson High School in 1983, Iona College in 1998, and earned a Masters in Emergency and Disaster Management from American Military University in 2013. He was a 2018 graduate of the nursing program at Eastern Virginia Career College and proudly became a Registered Nurse just weeks before his passing.
Eddie was immensely proud of his Irish heritage. He was a former member of the Iona College Pipe Band, and current member of the Northern Virginia Firefighters’ Emerald Society Pipe Band. He will lovingly be remembered for his tattoos, sense of humor, passion for motorcycles and dedication to service.
Eddie is survived by his wife Darcie Curtis Carter, his mother Patricia Carter, and sisters Debra Costello, Sandra (Steven) Clausen and Michelle (Anthony) Verna. He also leaves his nieces and nephew Rachael (James) Patalano, Heather Clausen, Steven Clausen and Jamie Costello, whom he adored. He was predeceased by his father Edward F. Carter in 2010. He also leaves a great many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 from 2-4pm & 7-9pm at the EDWARD F. CARTER FUNERAL HOME, 170 Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at St. Patrick's Church in Verplanck, NY. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery also in Verplanck.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations to Donate Life Virginia, 9200 Arboretum Parkway #104 North Chesterfield, VA 23236 or the American Heart Association.