Edward J Dempsey

Edward J. Dempsey of South Nyack, N.Y. passed away peacefully at Montefiore Nyack Hospital Aug. 5 after a short illness. He was 84.

Eddie was born on Sept. 26, 1938, the oldest of Arthur and Mary Dempsey's three children. He grew up in the Bronx, graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School and later took classes at Fordham University. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating high school, serving on a destroyer for two years.

He married the late Doris Cava in the early 60s and moved to Pearl River, N.Y., where they raised three children. After he and Doris parted ways he reunited with an old friend and beauty, Betty O'Boyle, and in 1997 they married and settled in South Nyack. They are communicants of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church.  

An elevator mechanic in New York City for decades, Ed was a proud member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local One, where he was on the executive board, the picnic committee and was bestowed the title of distinguished shop steward. When he retired in the mid-90s, he inspected New York City elevators -- including those in buildings next to the collapsed twin towers after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

When he finally stopped working, Ed befriended a retired clergyman who was visually impaired and drove him to appointments. He did the same for others as well, including members of the American Legion, where he was an active volunteer. 

He is survived by his wife, Betty Dempsey; daughter Christine and husband Jeff Kiely; son Thomas Dempsey and wife Wendy, and son Joseph Dempsey and wife Monica. He had two stepchildren, Danny O'Boyle and stepdaughter Siobhan O'Boyle and husband Steve Jackson. 

He also leaves a loving sister, Eileen Fitzpatrick, and two brothers-in-law he always spoke highly of, Tom Fitzpatrick and George Eisele. He leaves behind four granddaughters, Jennifer and Melissa Kiely; Danielle and Shealyn Dempsey and two grandsons, Aidan and Kieran Jackson, who affectionately called him "Pops," and nieces, grandnieces, grandnephews and nephews -- some of whom adoringly called him "Uncle Oggie." He is predeceased by his parents and beloved sister, Maureen Eisele.  

Funeral arrangements will be made by Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home of Pearl River, N.Y. A funeral Mass will be at St. John's, 895 Piermont Ave., Piermont, N.Y. at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 21, followed by interment at Ascension Cemetery, 650 Saddle River Road, Airmont, N.Y. The Mass will be livestreamed for those who can't attend at www.stjohnnewman.org. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the C.R. & R.O. Blauvelt Post 310 American Legion, P.O. Box 302, Nyack, N.Y. 10960-0302. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward J Dempsey, please visit our floral store.