Edward J. Kane

The world lost a great man when Edward James Kane, 92 of New Canaan passed away on March 21, 2026. A beloved educator, father, husband, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, US Marine, mentor, singer, actor, artist, and carpenter, Ed had been in declining health for the past few years.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on June 22, 1933 to the late Thomas A. and Emma Deerin Kane, Ed grew up in New Canaan, CT. He attended New Canaan schools until 8th grade, when he was accepted to St. Basil’s Preparatory School in Stamford, CT. As a four year starter on the St. Basil’s football team, Ed began a lifelong journey of physical and mental fitness that was reinforced through his enlistment in the US Marine Corps, where he served from 1953-1957. One of Ed’s postings was to Jerusalem, where he served as a Marine Security Guard at the US Consulate. It was there he met the woman who would become his first wife, the late Mathilde (Tilly) Visser, an administrative secretary at the Dutch Consulate.

Upon his honorable discharge from the USMC, Ed enrolled at Fairfield University, studying sociology and performing as a featured tenor soloist with the award-winning Fairfield University Glee Club. Mr. Kane chose a teaching career when he graduated from Fairfield University, and joined the staff at JM Wright Technical Vocational School in Stamford, CT. In addition to teaching Social Studies and English, he taught Drivers Education to generations of students who had the good fortune to take his class. His mentorship of the students at Wright Tech bore fruit early on, as many of his students became leaders in their fields. “Hey, Mr. Kane!” was a cry heard often over the years from former students, even long after Ed retired from Wright Tech, having risen to Assistant Director of the school.

In addition to his teaching career, Ed derived great pleasure from singing, and his voice graced many important events in the Stamford area for many years. He sang the Star Spangled Banner at every Wright Tech graduation, in addition to his own version of “My Way,” which he always ended with a reference to his students, “They did it MY WAY!” He acted and sang in the theater productions Threepenny Opera, West Side Story, and Carousel. For ten years, he produced and performed a Christmas Eve concert at St. Maurice RC Church, accompanied by Steve Delehanty, his friend and accompanist since their days at Fairfield University. His voice also graced many area weddings and funerals, leaving families with fond memories and comfort. Ed was a member of the baritone section of the Westchester Golden Chordsmen for many years and was a featured soloist at Darien Congregational Church.

After retirement from Wright Tech, Ed grew his hair long, got his ear pierced, bought a BMW K100 to replace the Kawasaki KZ750 he rode for many years. He returned to one of his first vocations, carpentry. He was very generous with his time and skills, helping his sons and their families, and building the sets for the Chordsmen’s (now known as Westchester Harmony) shows. Working with former students, and by himself, he completed many remodeling projects in Fairfield County. Ed discovered a innate talent for drawing, and completed charcoal and pencil portraits of his family and friends, many of which he presented to them as gifts.

In 2015, Ed was fortunate to marry the love of his life, Carol Nelson, whom he met in 1966, while performing as Tony to Carol’s Maria in American Musical Theater’s production of West Side Story. They had a wonderful life together, enjoying travel, dining out at local restaurants, surrounded by their extended, chosen, and blended families.

In addition to his wife, Carol Nelson Kane, Ed is survived by his sons, Frederick, of Jeffersonville, VT, Timothy (Jaime), of New Haven, CT, and Ian (Tony), of Middleton, MA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rory Kane (Fredi), Dylan Kane (Robin), great-grandson George, and Emily Moss (Kurt), his nephews Thomas, Stephen, and his niece Laura, who all regarded him as a second father, and nieces Katie Forbes, Meg Glidden, Keller Kuhn, and nephews Thomas Kuhn & Christopher Kuhn, and Robert Boucher

He is survived by Carol’s children Jonathan Waxberg (Anita), who was a great help to Ed, and Charles Waxberg, and great friends, Steve & Connie Delehanty, and Glen & Janie Allen.

In addition to his parents and first wife, Ed was predeceased by his brother, Thomas A. Kane, and his sister, Barbara A. Gronlund, and nephew John Higgins.

Visiting Hours will be on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 4:00 - 8:00pm at Leo P. Gallagher & Sons Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 10:00am, at St. Maurice Church, 358 Glenbrook Rd., Stamford, CT. Burial will be private.