Edward F Rahill

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Edward F. Rahill, 72, of Fort Wadsworth, a retired pharmaceutical company chemical operator and a former volunteer firefighter, died Saturday in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan.

Born in Rahway, N.J., he was educated there. He lived in his native community until moving to Fort Wadsworth 15 years ago.

Mr. Rahill was a chemical operator for Merck & Co., Inc. in New Jersey. He retired about 10 years ago.

He loved the outdoors, enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was particularly fond of going hunting in Colorado. He also liked gardening and was a "man of gadgets," family said.

He had served as a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey.

"He was just a great person," said Renate Beschner, his partner of 35 years.

Mr. Rahill was proud of his Irish heritage and was a member of an Irish-American organization.

While living in New Jersey, he attended St. Mary's R.C. Church, Rahway.

Mr. Rahill was preceded in death by his stepson, Wayne Beschner, in 1987.

Surviving, along with his partner, Renate, are his son, Michael; his stepdaughters, Toni Piliero and Corinne Beschner Lovallo; his brother, Patrick J., and two grandchildren.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills. Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery, Rahway.

Arrangements under the direction of Virginia Funeral Chapel, Staten Island, NY.