FLORENCE- Edward “Ed” Lee Wingfield, 86 of Florence, Massachusetts peacefully passed away at home on Friday morning, December 13, 2024, while surrounded by his loving family.
Ed was born in Aiken, South Carolina on April 3, 1938, to the late Edward T. and Myra (Cook) Wingfield and was raised as an only child. However, late in life he discovered he had several previously unknown half siblings.
Ed was raised in Watertown, Massachusetts where he attended public schools and graduated from Watertown High School in 1957. While an active athlete who participated in his high school’s baseball, basketball, and track & field teams, Ed met the love of his life, Julia Patricia “Pat” McMullin.
After graduating from Watertown High School, Ed attended Boston University (BU) where he was on the track team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. Immediately upon his graduation from BU, Ed and his high school sweetheart married on June 11, 1961.
Ed began his career with Massachusetts Electric (now National Grid) in Worcester, in 1962. In 1974, Mass Electric transferred Ed to Northampton. At the same time he and Pat moved their growing family into the home in Florence that would become their forever home. Over the next decades Ed was a Rotarian and served on numerous community boards. He served on the Board of Trustees of Florence Savings Bank for over 30 years.
Ed was also an avid sports fan and athlete. He followed UMass sports, the Celtics, the Red Sox, and always had a soft spot for his first sports team love, the Boston Braves. As an athlete, Ed enjoyed skiing and playing both basketball and tennis.
In 1993, at the age of 55, Ed retired from Mass Electric. His number one reason for early retirement was his family. Ed’s family was his passion. He spent a great deal of time with his grandchildren who always put a smile on his face. Some of the many activities that he shared with his children and grandchildren were UMass sporting events, trips to Hawaii and Disney, and road trips around the country. He loved being a part of a big family and was happiest when around his family.
Ed leaves his loving wife, Julia “Pat” Patricia (McMullin) Wingfield, his sons: Edward Lee Wingfield, Jr. of Northampton, James Allen Wingfield of Northampton, and Patrick Michael Wingfield & spouse Elizabeth of South Hadley; his daughter: Suzanne Wingfield Wilga & spouse Robert of Northampton. He leaves twelve grandchildren, Jenni, Stephanie, and Corey & spouse Ebonee Wilga; Abigail (Wingfield) Frey & spouse Lukas; Jacob, Zachary, Miranda, Megan, Ayden, Anja, Colton and Charlotte Wingfield. He has four half-siblings, Joe Ann Collins, who survives him; and Pamela Stangert, and James and Joseph Della Croce each of whom predeceased him.
The family will receive friends at AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 Bridge Road, Northampton, Massachusetts on Monday, December 23, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life at the Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Spring Grove Cemetery, Florence, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, PO Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329.