Edward Joseph Kane, 92, passed away on March 9, 2023, at his home on Amelia Island, Florida.
Born March 21, 1930, in Hartford, CT, to the late Mildred Grace Hyland and John Francis Kane. He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut, and graduated from Crosby High School in 1948. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1952, with a BS in Marketing and Business Administration. In 1953, he joined the United States Navy, and served as an Officer, Lieutenant, through 1957. Ed married his wife, Joan McCarthy, of 62 years, on April 28, 1955.
Ed began a 30 year career with IBM in 1957, lastly serving as Corporate Director of Quality. After leaving IBM in 1987, he worked for MSA Software, of Atlanta, GA, as Vice President of Quality and Management Systems. In 1990, MSA was acquired by Dun & Bradstreet, New York, and he worked there until 1994. Kane was a charter member of the Conference Board National Quality Council from 1985 to 1993, including two terms as chairman. He is the author of many articles and papers on Quality and Management. He was a member of the American Society for Quality Control. Ed had a very successful and rewarding business career.
Ed and his wife Joan raised six children, and moved to multiple locations in the Northeast. They settled in Waccabuc, New York, in 1966, and were longtime residents for 32 years. He was a member, and past president, of Waccabuc Country Club. Ed was an avid golfer, paddle tennis player, and investor. He enjoyed fine wine, wonderful food, and dining, and tending to his vegetable garden. He was a devout Catholic, and his faith and family were of the greatest importance to him.
Edward was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He loved people, God, sports, to love and to laugh, and he absolutely adored animals, especially dogs.
The ocean and beach always called to Ed; his Amelia Island home was paradise. He was a lover of travel, art, the Jacksonville symphony, and a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Celtics. He was a runner, and ran in both the New York City and Boston marathons. Ed was smart, loyal, generous, kind, fun, engaged, and anyone who met him was better for it; he was a true legend! He had many passions and did everything with great enthusiasm and dedication. He was known to sing a great rendition of Danny Boy and other Irish songs. In short, whatever Ed did, he was ALL in!
Ed and Joan were Amelia Island Plantation property owners from 1975, and they retired full-time to Amelia in 1998. They were members of Saint Michael Catholic Church. He was a member of the Ocean Club, and the Amelia Island Plantation Community Association. He was president of the Ocean Club Villas Condominium Association for many years, and also served on the board of the Council on Aging in Fernandina Beach. He and Joan enjoyed Amelia with their English bulldog, Belle, and then, with their beloved white lab Zelda. He leaves behind his children, Darcy (Peter) of Jacksonville, Michael (Jennifer) of Providence, Rhode Island, Maggie of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Timothy of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Jennifer (Ed) Bennett of Fernandina Beach, Florida; and grandchildren, Caitlin Ruvolo, Lauren Kane, Madeline Kane, Sean Kane, Emily Kane, Matthew Kane, Amanda Bennett, EJ Bennett, and Carter Bennett. He was predeceased by his son, John, 1995, and his wife Joan, 2018.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 11 AM at Saint Michael Catholic Church with Father Jose Kallukalam officiating. Reception immediately following at the Parish Hall. His final resting place will be at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, with wife, Joan, at a later date. Contributions may be made in his name or honor to the Humane Society of Nassau County, Catholic Relief Services, or Covenant House.