In a town full of character, Ed Szpaicher stood out as a welcoming star, a warm presence, and the best of friends. I’ve known him as a father of my players Brooke and Maddie, a timer at basketball games, a spectator, a golfer, a realtor, a bartender, and especially a friend.
Ed Szpaicher was one of the best human beings that I have ever known. He loved his wife Becky and his three children Mila, Brooke and Maddie. His love for his father, Edmund Jr., sister Kim and brother Mark was well known. His love for his family was always evident wherever you saw them, whether they were at a game, the golf course, or at the restaurants. His love for all people was also evident from the smile on his face whenever you greeted him. Ed was a great human being who always made you feel special in his presence.
If anyone ever had a cause, Eddie was always there to help sell tickets, donate money, or help run the event. We all know that he was a take-charge kind of guy. Whatever there was to do, he always volunteered to do it.
As many of you have, I followed Eddie from his days at Balloons to The Monroe Street Tap Room, to the Barn. We shared many great times together. He put on a special sixteenth birthday party for my oldest daughter Janeen and barely covered his expenses because that was the type of guy he was.
There were many times he was always there to help. He was there to set up wings and pizza for teams we brought into the restaurants. We can’t count how many game nights we shared both the victories and the defeats. He treated myself and my coaches as special people, as he did so many that came to see him.
Eddie had that special thing about him that only a few have. He had the ability to share joy and happiness. If you didn’t feel better after seeing him for ten minutes, then shame on you. He made you feel special and that you were important to him and he could always help you have a better day.
The Ellicottville community has lost a truly great individual and I’ve lost the greatest of friends.
