Edward D. Cwynar

Edward D. Cwynar, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

Edward was born in Rockford, IL on August 1, 1934, son of Anthony and Julia (Sermak) Cwynar. He graduated from St. Thomas High School, Class of 1952. Edward proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He returned from the Navy to marry his sweetheart, Donna Jean Nelson, on September 3, 1960. They started their life together and quickly welcomed 2 sons, Thomas and David. He worked for Illinois Bell for 33 years, leaving in 1984. He started his own business at that time, ECCO Telephone Company. He enjoyed work and developed many friends through his business. Edward was a longtime member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he served with the Legion of Mary and committed daily time to the adoration chapel.

Ed enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with friends and various members of the family (whomever could go) but always with his brother, Moose. They would go 2- 3 times a year until health became an issue. Ed was also an avid golfer who chalked up 2 hole-in-ones during his time! You would find him out on the course at least 3 times a week with his buddies. He was the neighborhood ‘treat’ man. All the dogs would stop by his house on their walks and collect treats. Squirrels would sit on the stoop each morning waiting for Ed to open the garage door and hand out one or two of his special walnuts. One of Ed’s biggest accomplishments was the loving care of his wife. When Donna developed Alzheimer’s, he devoted 7 years of his life caring for her at home until 1 year before she passed. He then went to the nursing home every day to help take care of her.

Surviving relatives include his 2 sons, Tom (Connie) Cwynar and Dave (Joanne) Cwynar; grandchildren, Matthew (Celia) Cwynar, Kristin (John) Barrmann, Lindsay (Tony) Rosella, Mallory (Eric) Gendron, Kaylin (Ryan Christie) Cwynar; great-grandchildren, Liam, Isabella and Evelyn; sister, Antionette (Tosha) Decker and numerous nieces and nephews. Edward is predeceased by his wife, Donna Jean (2014); parents; Julian “Moose” & Dorothy Cwynar; in-laws, Konrad “Sonny” and Margaret Nelson; brothers-in-law, Dick Caffery and Adrian Beaudry; sisters-in-law, Sonya Caffery and MaryAnn (Beaudry) Caffery.

Ed dealt with dementia in the last 3 years of his life that was made easier by the care of the staff at Highview in the Woodlands. They treated him as their family when we could not be there with him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ed's name to your favorite charity.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd. Rockford, IL 61107. Rosary will begin at 8:30 am followed by visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of Mass. Final resting place will conclude in Arlington Memorial Park, Rockford, IL. Share online memories and condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.