Edward Meisel, known to all as “Eddie” or “Ed,” was the best son, brother, husband, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle and friend anyone could have. Our hearts are broken, but overflowing with love and affection for Ed. He made our lives worth living. We were lucky to have shared our time here with him. Solace may be found in that he lived a full, balanced, engaged and vibrant life, and overcame many obstacles to do so. He may have been at times skeptical or even cynical, but his life was truth. As William Blake wrote:
“He who binds himself to a Joy
Does the winged life destroy
He who kisses the Joy as it flies
Lives in eternity’s sunrise”
Ed passed away peacefully in his sleep after struggling with a rare cancer that substantially impaired his quality of life. Pneumonia was the immediate cause of death, but the cancer was incurable and progressive. Throughout his battle with amyloidosis, he took great comfort in having Dr. Carol Ann Huff of Johns Hopkins as his doctor and rightly felt so fortunate to be under her care. With dignity, grace and courage, he accepted his circumstances, seemingly free from fear of passing away, perhaps even embracing the journey. While just a bit stubborn at times, Ed insisted on living life on his terms, and at the end he chose to pass on his terms as well.
Ed made an impression on everyone and was a character larger than life. His friends knew him to be bold, outrageous, mischievous. He was a leader and a comrade. He loved golf and was quite competitive. He enjoyed working out, keeping himself fit. We have heard through the grapevine he drove too fast on an occasion or two. He loved horses, animals and especially his gray cats (the departed Belladonna and Isis, and Smokey Joe and King Henry VIII who are yearning for him). A consummate professional, Ed worked as a comptroller and later financial trader. He was beloved by those who worked for him.
Ed was a faithful, loving, and devoted husband to the love of his life Nancy. Making their home in Washington, DC, for all their years together, they also traveled to see friends here and abroad. When Nancy battled cancer, he took care of her in every way, and she did the same for him when he was sick. They were the best thing that could ever have come along for each other; they gave each other's life meaning, purpose, love and fulfillment. With remarkable dedication he cared for and protected his mother for almost thirty years after his Dad passed away in 1989. These acts of caring distinguish his life as exemplary in the service of others.
Ed was a wonderful brother, loved and cherished (at least most of the time!) by his siblings, Sheri and Andy and his sister-in-law Robin. As an uncle, Ed had a close relationship with his nephews Scott and Benjamin, and nieces Lindsay and Lauren. He was completely at ease with them, and they in turn were completely at ease with him – they felt like his best friends.
Ed could be prickly, and a bit impatient, but his essence was a man with a big heart, caring, compassionate and vulnerable. For all who knew and loved him, there is nothing they would not have done for him. Ed’s journey reflected joy, wisdom and compassion. His passing magnifies his positive impact on all who knew him and opens infinite possibilities. As his journey and ours continues, might his soul be honored by acts of kindness, to ourselves and others.
~ Ed’s Family
Tributes
Leave a tributeI don't take a car into Manhattan much any more, but whenever I did, I would consciously try to "drive like Eddie," whose way at the wheel was always a marvel to behold. We saw a few Dylan shows together, and I included him among my acknowledged music friends in my book on Dylan. I deeply regret not sending him a copy: if he had read it, that would've been one of the greatest endorsements I could've received.
He and Nancy were always "our DC friends" and we were honored by Ed's presence at my stepson's Bar Mitzvah back in the '80s. My deep sympathy to all who knew him and will miss him.
steve doris
Ed was a nice guy. Although Eddie sometimes exuded a whimsical cynicism, he cared about people and animals a lot. I feel honored to have known him these past 33 years.
RIP Eddie. You remain forever, Young Ed.
My heart is broken.
This wonderful human being that I have had the pleasure of knowing and work for was my boss my friend his name is Ed on March 21 2019 I receive this saddest news on the phone the call was Eddie passed away I was shocked I couldn’t believe that this world is without an angel may he rest in peace until we meet again I love you always and forever you will be missed Give mom a big hug and kiss for me I know she’s asking you what are you doing here probably saying to you go back unfortunately it does not work that way it was an honor to be a part of your family
Leave a Tribute
We first met Eddie through Nancy. I was a student at the University of Maryland where Nancy taught at the time. I worked in the faculty office and would book appointments for students to get career advice from Nancy. We would often chat and after six months or so, she invited my then boyfriend, John, and I to dinner at the home she shared with Eddie in DC. The four of us have been friends since.
Eddie had THE best stories and whether he was sharing a tale from his college days or telling us what he had got up to the day before, he would have us gripped. He had this rock star quality, with a lifestyle steeped in experience and adventure, yet a more grounded and true to himself character you would never meet.
Nancy and Eddie have always been great friends to us. We have crashed on their couch so many times over the years. We even crashed on the couch in their hotel room one New Year in London. They came to our wedding, which is where this picture was taken which I love because they both looked like extras who they have wandered in from the set of La Dolce Vita. We have continued to crash together in various locations since then- Stratford, Dublin, Bromley and Frostburg to name a few - and despite living in different countries have managed to see each other with relative regularity over the years. We were always easy in each other’s company and picked up where we left off no matter how big the gap.
They have got to know our families too. Eddie always asked after 'the vicar' (my dad), and come to think of it, my parents have crashed on their couch, too.
We have always admired the relationship Nancy and Eddie shared. They gave each other the space they needed to develop as individuals. Eddie was always supportive of Nancy’s career and knew her unstoppable desire to study was a beast which needed regular feeding. She in turn respected the place golf and the cats had in his life. They would then reconnect over late nights, cards, prime rib, friends and crap telly.
The world is definitely a less spectacular place without our rock star in it. He had an unforgettable voice and a smile/smirk where he twisted one side of his mouth slightly, which just screamed mischief. He was one of a kind and he remained true to himself and loyal to those around him to the end of his too short life, always with Nancy at its centre. We are very grateful for many years of friendship Eddie and for always letting us crash on your couch. We'll miss you.
Missing him in Maryland
At the end of 1982 I was called back to my home in Argentina to attend personal family business and was absent for about 10 months. During that time I was lucky to get many letters from friends, and I remember Tom Meenan, sounding both hopeful and wary, writing that “there is a new member in our group, and his name is Eddie.” But it was many more months before I met him, and when I did he was quiet, friendly, and stayed close to Nancy. Having no place to stay when I returned, Nancy generously let me bunk with her for a while, and I watched their early courtship through the window where they’d sit close together on the grey cement steps of the building’s entrance, and whisper with an occasional giggle from Nancy and a high pitched exclamation from Eddie.What I loved most about Eddie was the blatant honesty of himself and everything around him. The lack of artifice gave you the freedom to get huffy with him without hating him, to laugh at his observations, to tease him (he hated that which made it even more fun) and, in turn, take any truths he threw your way because they were given without malice (maybe sometimes without tact but that was Ed). It was refreshing. And if he was super cranky you could just ignore him…he didn’t get offended.Our daughter Lauren, who knew him all her life (and she’s now 31) was very taken with Eddie because of the ease with which she could talk to him, and was always amused at what came out of his mouth. She, as well as all of us, really never wanted to believe that he’d leave us so soon. I miss his hearty laugh, his indignant exclamations, his expression “That xxxx is an IDIOT!”, having him at the table for our traditional New Year’s Eve dinner outings, his love for Nancy, and so many other things. I hope he finds a good bagel wherever he is now!