Edward Levengood, known as "Big Ed" or "Fast Eddie" to his friends, passed away at JFK Medical Center in Edison on Friday, October 18th, 2024 –  69 years to the day that Ed's father died - after suffering with a bout of sepsis. He was 72 years old.

Ed was born premature in Queens, NY on November 11, 1951. He had an enlarged heart his entire life – both literally AND figuratively - and was born to the late Mae and Rodman Levengood. The youngest of four, Eddie was always looked after because of his small size. Tragedy struck the Family's life early when his Dad Rodman died of Heart Failure before Ed even turned four. It was losing his Father so young which created the determination in Eddie to be the most devoted Father to his own children.

Edward attended William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens where, on his very first day, he met his soon-to-be-best-friend Rich Simon. After asking Rich for help filling out the attendance cards in Homeroom, Ed was later walking around the cafeteria for lunch, not knowing anyone to sit with. He recognized the kid from Homeroom, who quickly invited him to join him, a lifelong friendship began, and as they say, the rest is history.

Ed, a talented drummer, and Rich a guitar impressaro, decided to form a band as high school was wrapping up. Besides the fun they had at gigs, they also attracted their fair share of devoted groupies, including one ballerina named Lorraine Merritt, who began dating Ed. Lorraine and Ed were married and they quickly got pregnant with their first Daughter, Jennifer.

Wanting to give back – a running theme in his life - Ed joined the Navy Reserves. There he learned to sail, hang hundreds of feet over the deck signaling other ships (which he loved), and peeling thousands of potatoes (which he didn't).  It was during this period that Ed & Lorry had their second Daughter, Michelle, who they named after the Beatles song, "Michelle, Ma Belle", which played over the radio at the Nurses Station once they had her.

As the kids grew up in Astoria, Ed took his Navy technical know-how and began work with Xerox on a new invention…copy machines. He worked at the Bankers Trust Building across the street from the World Trade Center, and helped many co-workers, strangers and tourists escape the building during the first bombing in 1993.

Through Eddie's 30 years with Xerox, he always put his girls, and later his Grandson Christian, first. Whether it was attending sports games, running lines for plays, spending countless hours at arcades or at amusement parks, Ed made sure his Family always felt special and important. Even after he & Lorraine divorced they remained devoted friends, watching their favorite TV shows together each week until her passing in 2011.

In 2017 as they were retiring, Rich & Ed decided to have another adventure by changing states and moving to New Jersey. In Iselin, Ed's big heart shone through easily, and it was the opposite of high school – he made many friends quickly once being shown the ropes at Bingo, Pokeno and Left, Right Center. His social calendar was full, though never as full as his heart with the love he had for his new friends.

Surviving are his daughters, Michelle Levengood of Iselin and Jennifer Levengood of Windermere, FL; brother, William Levengood, of Sedona, AZ; grandson, Christian Levengood, of Florida; and his beloved niece, Susan Amato, of Virginia.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24th, 2024 at Costello-Greiner Funeral Home, 44 Green Street, Woodbridge. An interment service will take place on Friday, October 25th, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. at Saint John's Cemetery, Middle Village, Queens, NY.

If you've read this far, in tribute to Ed's joking style, he'd love for you to yell "BINGO!" out loud right now, whether you're playing or not