Edward Martin Gefell

Ed passed away suddenly overnight in his apartment in Ithaca, New York where he had lived since December 2022. Ed grew up on Highland Avenue in Rochester, New York, the third of eight children (Mary Clare, Bill, Ed, Tom, Kate, Dan, Mike, and Dave) of Edward and Jeanette Gefell. In Ed’s earliest years, his love of the earth, music, fishing, sports, and pranks took root. 

Ed’s favorite subject in school was Earth Science. Each summer, he cultivated an abundant vegetable garden including corn “as high as an elephant’s eye,” beautiful tomatoes, and cucumbers. His love of the earth led to his study of geology in college at SUNY Brockport and in graduate school at Purdue. 

Ed (affectionately known as “Mart” or “Martin”) and his siblings treasured their annual summer vacations at Keuka Lake, from which an abiding love of the Finger Lakes, and Ed’s love of fishing were born. The expression of pure joy on Ed’s face when pulling up a catch was priceless. 

Ed’s Gibson guitar was his most prized possession. He played beautifully and also wrote music. Ed, along with his brothers and sisters, reveled in hours long songfests whenever they gathered. Ed had a particular affinity for Cat Stevens and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, whose music always featured prominently. 

Ed was an outstanding football player at Brighton high school. He was co-captain of the varsity team and one of the best fullbacks in Monroe County his Senior year, along with being a starting player as defensive end. And Ed enjoyed hours of competitive basketball sessions with his brothers on our backyard court. Ed was an avid New York Yankees, Knicks and Giants fan. 

Ed’s laughter was infectious. Its full encompassing joyous echo filled the room and caught up everyone around to join with him. Ed and Tom had some wild and crazy times growing up, even inventing their own language! Their endless experiments, schemes, and pranks are the stuff of Gefell legends. 

Ed’s life was not without suffering. What stands out from every aspect of Ed’s painful experiences is that he continued to persevere. That he had the strength it took to do so humbles us all. Ed was a big fellow…a gentle giant. He laughed easily, threatened no one, and resolutely faced all the challenges that life tossed at him. 

Ed’s intrinsic kindness and gentleness are the enduring characteristics that stand out to all who know him. For years, Ed’s Lebanon New Hampshire apartment was a hub for friends in his neighborhood. Ed loved to cook and did not use recipes. He would prepare large batches of beef stroganoff, chili, spaghetti, and beef stew for his friends, his way of taking care of them. Ed always took time to express gratitude for the smallest kindness and would give the shirt off his back to someone in need in a heartbeat. 

Ed will forever be a treasured indelible pulse in our collective beating heart.