Obituary of Edwin E. Symonds

Addison, NY | Edwin E. Symonds, 87, of Steuben St. Addison, NY, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira. Ed was born in Woodhull, NY on August 29, 1927, the son of the late George W. and Mary Forbes Smith Symonds. He had attended Woodhull schools but eventually attended Hammondsport High School where he graduated in 1945. Following high school Ed enlisted in the US Army where he served in the medical corps, attending to the needs of returning World War II veterans. He owned and operated the Red & White Grocery in Woodhull until 1952 when he and his family relocated to Addison. At this time he became employed by the Ingersoll Rand Co. in Painted Post. He retired as a quality control inspector in 1985 after 33 years of active employment. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Addison since 1956, Ed was a church elder and served all positions in the church, currently as financial secretary. On July 10, 1971, Ed and the former Norine D. Kilmer were married at the Presbyterian Church. She survives. He was a long time Little League coach in Addison and later served as an umpire in the Little League as well as in the Cinderella Softball League there. Ed was a member of the Union Lodge 118 F&AM in Addison and a former member of the Addison Fire Department during the transitional period of various fire companies being combined into one department. Ed gave of himself freely with involvement in not only the local Board of Education but also regional boards related to the field of education. He served as a member of the Addison Central School Board for 24 years, during which time he served as President for 2 terms. Ed was also involved with the Steuben County School Board Association and the regional board for Steuben-Allegany BOCES. In 1995 he was president of all three Boards. Preceding Ed in death were his brothers, George W. Symonds Jr. and Johnny Symonds. He is survived by his wife, Norine Symonds of Addison, his sons and daughters in law, James and Kathy Symonds of Addison, Joseph and Mary Symonds of Woodhull and Edwin T. and Debra Symonds of Woodhull, his daughter and son in law, Margie and Tom Whispel of Horseheads, his step children, Terry (Flo) Wheatcraft of Addison, Bruce (Judy) Wheatcraft of Addison, Dean Wheatcraft of Woodhull, Brian (Lisa) Wheatcraft of Greeley, CO and Gina (Adam) Trujillo of Greeley, CO, 19 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Addison. Burial will follow in Woodhull Cemetery. Donations in Ed's memory may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Addison or www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Service: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 11:00 AM First Presbyterian Church of Addison 5 Church St. Addison, NY Visitation: Tuesday, January 6, 2015 2-4 and 7-9 PM H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY