Edward G. Blyda

Edward was born in Hatfield, Mass. on June 6, 1921, the son of Sebastian and Mary (Kania) Blyda. He was a graduate of Smith Academy in Hatfield, Mass. where he also loved to play basketball while in school.

Following graduation, he worked in the produce business in the Northampton, Mass. area. He later went into business with his brother, Tony Blyda, who started Blyda Ford in Northampton. Edward was a member of the Ford Dealers of America, and his dealership won many awards from Ford Motor Company over the years. After over 40 years in the car business, Blyda Ford was sold in 1985, and Ed retired.

On March 31, 1951, Ed married the love of his life, Edna Michonski. In 1953, their daughter Barbara was born. Ed was a great father and role model for his daughter. Ed and Edna loved traveling to Cape Cod, Florida, and other warm destinations. Concerts with the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood in the Berkshire were a summertime event for years. He enjoyed being with his family and nieces and nephews at family get-togethers, going to sporting events, and watching the Red Sox, Patriots and his favorite basketball team, the Celtics.

In 2006, Ed and Edna moved to Keene to be closer to their daughter, Barbara Coburn, and son-in-law, Ron, where they enjoyed many outings with family and friends on Spofford Lake.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him as a loving husband, father, father-in-law, and friend, especially his wife of 67 years, Edna Blyda, of Keene; daughter Barbara Coburn and her husband, Ron, of Spofford, NH; and nieces and nephews, Timothy Crimmins, Jr., Kenneth Crimmins, Edward Crimmins, Victoria Gonzalez, David Guzek, Donald Guzek, and Thomas Kozik.

He is also thankful for all the wonderful caregivers in the last few years including Sheila Bowers, Susan Hugel, Tonya White, Deborah Miller, Olga Magicheva, Alice Blanchard, Sherri McGuirk, Elizabeth Korwaski, Sumer Ammann, Debra Philbrook and Karen Coleman, who all affectionately called him “Mr. Ed”.

A prayer service will be held Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 10:00AM in the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers will follow the prayer service at 12:30PM in St. Mary Cemetery, 235 North Elm Street, Northampton. Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, June 28th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Foley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Blyda’s memory to the Childhood Cancer Lifeline, PO Box 395, Hillsborough, NH 03244.