OBITUARY

Edward O'Melia

October 28, 1955 – December 12, 2020

On Saturday, December 12, 2020, my world grew a whole lot dimmer with the passing into Spirit of my beloved husband, and best friend, Edward Charles O’Melia. Ed had been ill for several months, and finally his body and spirit wearied of the battle, and his soul was commended into the hands of God. He was just 65 years old. Ed is survived by three lovi ng and beautiful daughters, Jennifer O’Melia Cummings and her husband, John; Mary O’Melia Stange and her husband Wes; and Rosalie O’Melia; grandchildren John Paul, Max, and Amelia; brother Richard O’Melia and his wife, Diana; sister Mary Sara O’Melia Cummings and her husband, Jeff; nieces Jillian and Jenna.

I shared only the last 10 years with Ed, so about his early life, I can only share what I have gathered from his surviving family and many friends and he did have MANY friends. After graduating from Wareham High School, in 1973, he was a proud 1977 graduate of Massachusetts Academy in Buzzards Bay.. His MMA classmates are a very close-knit group, like a caring family, or as they call themselves “a brotherhood”, and through the years I have been privileged to meet many of them. I want to thank them personally for the love and support they have shown us, and continue to show me, during Ed’s recent illness and especially this past weekend.

As a marine engineer, Ed spent 25 years of his life shipping out on the huge container ships that depart from major seaports all around the world. He spent a great of his life in Florida, Texas, and other places, establishing friendships everywhere he went. He had traveled to 4 continents and had numerous “sea stories”, which he loved to share. The life at sea is vastly different from the life that most of us know, and the bond that develops between long-time mariners is unique and amazing. After retiring from service at sea, he opened a small restaurant in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and he was an excellent cook who could prepare anything from meatloaf to soups (his seafood gumbo was legendary, if you can take habanero peppers.) He even liked to grow his own habaneros and jalapenos.

Ed was an avid sports fan, especially football and baseball. Having lived in the Tampa Bay area, he especially loved his Rays and Buccaneers, but he kindly tolerated my affection for the Red Sox and Patriots. He was the only person in this household who was genuinely happy when Brady and Gronk signed with the Bucs. We made several pilgrimages to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Ed opened up a new world for me—a world of music, travel, sports, friendship. I learned what the term “parrothead” meant, and what tailgating at a Jimmy Buffett concert was like! I know he packed a lot of living into his 65 “trips around the sun”. I will be forever grateful to God for letting me share the last decade of Ed’s life. I only wish there could have been many more. I miss you and love you, Mr. Ed. You’ll always be in my heart and the hearts of all the people whose lives you have touched.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at 11AM in St. Mary’s Church, 789 Dartmouth St. Dartmouth, MA 02748 for all to attend. For on-line tributes and update on services, please visit our website at: www.waring-sullivan.com

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Edward O'Melia

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Michael Marelli

January 18, 2021

Upon our graduation from MMA and after receiving our licenses, Ed, myself and Larry Ritter took a road trip to the West Coast in search of our fortunes. We went our separate out there. A couple of years later I was fortunate to meet up with Ed in Texas. Whenever you came in on a ship, flew in looking for ship at the union hall or needed a place to stay while waiting for a job. He was there. Every Sunday someone was tasked to cook a meal for all of us while we watched the football games. Followed by a game of Risk, that went late into the night. I'll see ya again and we'll have a cheeseburger in paradise.

Anne Marie Bernier

January 6, 2021

Joanne I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful write up on Ed's life. Reading his life story clearly shows what an amazing life he had. I'm so happy he was part of your life and shared his past and new adventures with you during those 10 years.. He showed you the way of adventure, I pray you are able to continue on with the beautiful memories you both created and shared.

Patricia Reynolds

December 21, 2020

I still can't believe that you are truly gone. It has not sunk in. I was truly blessed to know you. I was truly blessed that you were apart of my daughter's life. I will be here for Joanne always even if its from a distance. I love u my favorite old man lol. Rest easy with the angels. Watch over us always here on earth from up above.

Jamie Ashby

December 21, 2020

Hi Joanne! Very sorry to hear about Ed passing away. Thought I would share a little story about how I met him. I was driving down a Texas highway one afternoon and saw this car with a fin on it. Being a Parrothead myself I gave a fins up sign as I passed. I turned to head home and the guy in the fin car followed me and signaled to pull over. Why I dared do that I do not know! It was Ed. I invited him to our regular Friday night get together on the Kemah Boardwalk with the local Parrothead club and he showed up to party with us. Imagine that! My friend dated him for a while but I lost track after he moved to Florida with occasional updates from my friend. So glad to know he found you and that you had 10 great years together. He was a fun guy!

Laura Bryan

December 17, 2020

Such a love tribute to your beloved husband, Joanne.
Sending my deepest condolences to you & Ed's brother & sister, his three daughters and all of your family & friends.

Tammy Todesco

December 16, 2020

Beautifully written Joanne. I knew Edward most of my life and I have some really good memories growing up. He was always a character, always smiling and laughing. Fins up my friend,until we meet again....xoxo

Pat Weygandt

December 16, 2020

I was a member of Ed's high school class, graduating with him in 1973. He always had a smile on his face and warmed up the room when he entered. He could be a bit of a jokester which was appreciated by many. I had the opportunity to visit France for 10 days along with classmates including Ed. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. He tracked me down when he was in Florida and we kept in touch for some time. He was a very special guy and I'm sure greatly missed by his family. R.I.P. Ed

Bill Dalton

December 16, 2020

Shock and sadness at the sudden loss of Eddy O.
Sincerest condolences to Joanne and the entire O’Melia family.
Rest In Peace Ed. Future reunions will remember you fondly.
Ed HAWG and Piedmont together again in Sweathog heaven!
Sweathog Hall of Famers!

Christina Crocker

December 16, 2020

I grew up with the O'Melia family. Sleeping there almost every weekend. I followed in Ed's footsteps and graduated MMA. We had so much fun planning and participating in the annual "STASH" festivities. You will be missed old friend. Condolences to all the family. A funny, life loving, and sea faring man. RIP Eddie O.

David Janes 77

December 16, 2020

Ed and I shared a lot of times here in Fl. And a few times in MA with his lovely wife Joanne. He is sorely missed, a piece of friendship and brotherhood has been taken. Ed can now be at the Fiddlers Green, having crossed the final bar. God Bless

FROM THE FAMILY