SOUTHWICK – Edward C. Rankin, 94, passed away on July 27th, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at Baystate Noble Hospital. He was born on June 7th, 1929 in Bootle, Liverpool, England to the late George and Dorothy (Leatherborrow) Rankin. Edward courageously served in the RAF (Royal Air Force) and participated in the 1948 Berlin Airlift.
Edward met Maureen McGiveron while they were both working at Campbell & Isherwood in Liverpool, England. They married on November 5th, 1951 after emigrating to Canada. They moved to Wichita, Kansas; then decided on Southwick, Massachusetts to start their family.
For many years, he was employed as a mechanical engineer at Kaman Aerospace in Bloomfield, CT. He was also a faithful communicant of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Southwick and an avid figure skater for many years.
His greatest joy were his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He especially loved their baby years and was happiest with a baby in his arms.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife, Maureen (McGiveron) Rankin who passed away in September, 2016 and his siblings Dorothy Brown, George Rankin, Sydney Rankin, and David Rankin.
To cherish his memory, Edward leaves his children Anne-Marie Storey, Mark Rankin, Dean Rankin, Kimberley Davis, Stephanie O’Donnell (Michael) and Rebecca Rivenburgh; his grandchildren Taylor Davis (Georgia), Vanessa Magagnoli, Erica Sykes (Tim), Elizabeth Rivenburgh, Riley O’Donnell (Judy), Katherine Rivenburgh, Spencer O’Donnell (Morgan), Alex Rivenburgh and Siobhan O’Donnell; his great-grandchildren Lucas and Sydney Magagnoli, Anthony and Thomas Davis and Rowan and Ryleigh Sykes, as well as his sister Sheila Tarney.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, July 31st, 2023 from 4–8 p.m. at Southwick Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, 624 College Highway, Southwick. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 1st, 2023 beginning at 8:45 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick. Burial will be in New Cemetery, College Highway, Southwick.
Memorial contributions in Edward’s memory may be made to the Southwick Animal Shelter, 11 Depot Street, Southwick, MA 01077. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.forastiere.com
