Edward S. DeWitt

November 27, 1924 - September 24, 2018

DANVERS- Edward S. DeWitt passed away at his home amongst family on September 24th, 2018. It is our suspicion that he was called away for one last epic party he just could not pass up. Ed was born in Hartland, New Brunswick, Canada on November 27th 1924 and began his 93-year long love affair with life. At the age of 17 he left home to serve his country in World War II as part of the Canadian Royal Army. While this is an incredible and noble sacrifice, Ed was not afraid to use his elite Veteran status throughout his life to peer pressure anyone and everyone to party with him. He would lure you in with “Why don’t you come on over, sit down, and talk a spell?” and capture you with “Did you know I fought in the Big War? How about we have just ONE small shot of Crown Royal?” For any unsuspecting newcomer it was all downhill from there. His family had been onto him and his “tricks” for years. However, we knew better than to foil his party plans since he was extremely quick to declare “Oh ‘so-and so’ you’re out of the will now!!!” Every single member of the family has heard that phrase at least once and some have heard it MANY times. I believe his son-in-law Kevin, the “Big Dummy”, probably heard it the most. And there were a lot of victims over the years. Since it wasn’t considered a visit to Danvers without a stop at Roosevelt Ave., no one was safe. Ed was always betting on something and it was usually for a nickel. “For this nickel, I bet you can’t jump over this broomstick”. “I’ll bet you a nickel I can jump the 8 ball over the 4 ball and land it in the back corner pocket”. If it was a big bet, he might up the ante to a quarter. It was usually something you would never consider doing for 100 dollars, let alone a quarter. We knew never to take the pool bets since he was a shark. With a table in the basement and his weekly Tuesday night pool and card games with his buddies, he was a master of the game. He would also challenge anyone to a “friendly” game of darts (for money of course). He made sure to pit the Canadians against the Americans any chance he could. In retirement, he even took his tricks and bets on the road and ended up at the Danvers Senior Center where he became a familiar face for many years. There he preyed on the elderly. Like we said, no one was safe. Stories and tall tales were part of Ed’s repertoire too. He was a fantastic storyteller, in every sense of the word. His stories were incredible and often unbelievable. He had new stories all the time because more often than not he was making them up on the spot. We think most had some hint of truth to them, but you were never quite sure which parts were true and which parts were “exaggerated”. If you asked, “Did that really happen?” he would just smirk and sip his beer. I’m pretty sure no one believed that he and his dad were in the third grade at the same time or that Nana swam all the way across the Saint John River just to be with the most handsome man in all of New Brunswick. To this day, Nana can’t swim. On any given day you could reliably find Ed sitting in his chair in his wingtip shoes and sport coat, listening to his country music tapes or watching Gunsmoke and Wheel of Fortune. He always looked his best, even when he had nowhere in particular to go. We think he was secretly hoping that someone would stop in for a visit and sit and talk a spell, and well, you know what would happen next. Ed was a master carpenter and woodworker. He spent countless hours in his basement workshop crafting beautiful pieces of furniture for his family. His skillfully designed wooden rocking horses have been enjoyed by his grandkids and great grandkids alike. They now sit waiting for the day when they can be enjoyed by more generations. Additionally, he was an accomplished archer, winning Massachusetts state championships frequently in his heyday. He has the trophies and pictures to prove it and wasn’t shy to tell you all about his adventures. Ed was an all-around wonderful man, and though he lived through the great depression, he had so much wealth in his life. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and was so proud of and each and every one of them. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and always looked for the positive. He was generous, funny, mischievous, charismatic and full of personality. Not only was he the life of the party but he was its heart and soul too. He touched so many people in such a meaningful and memorable way. Everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him, will truly miss him. In addition to his incredibly beautiful wife of 63 years, Nellie (Wheeler) DeWitt, he is survived by his three children: daughter Debbie and husband Kevin Cullen, daughter Jodie and husband Michael Lemish and son David DeWitt. He leaves behind five grandchildren: Kristen Cullen and husband James McCarty, Kelly Bailey and husband Todd Bailey, Craig DeWitt, Peter DeWitt and Connor Lemish. In addition, he had three great-grandchildren, Addison and Cian McCarty and Evan Bailey. He will be greatly missed by his childhood best friend and fellow Canadian exPat Gerald Little and countless additional family and friends. “There are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met.” - W.B. Yeats. Ed, (Dad, Grampy, Old Grampy, Uncle Eddie), we’re sure you are making friends, making bets and telling tall tales wherever you are. We miss you so very much already but there is no doubt you left your mark on this world and your legacy will forever live on in all of us. Ed's services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made In Ed's name to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Charles W. Davis Post #2359, 5 Conant St., Danvers, MA, 01923. We also ask that everyone please raise a glass of whisky and toast to the great, one of a kind, Ed DeWitt with his all time favorite Irish blessing. May those who love us, love us; And for those who don't love us, May God turn their hearts; And if He doesn't turn their hearts, May He turn their ankles, So we will know them by their limping!