Edward Thomas Aylward

Edward Aylward , 87, of Greatkills passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Brooklyn to the late John and Helen Aylward, he was predeceased by his siblings John, Richard, William and Eileen Kiski. Edward worked for the New York City Police Department for five years before he made the decision to become a New York City Fire Fighter in 1959 where he worked until he retired as a Lieutenant in 1976 from Engine Company 249 in Brooklyn. While he was still a firefighter, he enrolled in the Archer-Yaniglsawa pilot Nursing Program, designed to train city firefighters and police officers nearing retirement to further their careers as registered nurses, the first of its kind in the country. He was among the 87 pioneer graduates who received their degrees from Hunter College Bellevue School of Nursing in Manhattan. Edward was an avid hunter and fisherman; his daughters still remember taking many fishing trips with their father. He truly loved the outdoors he loved being out on the golf course and riding his bicycle whenever he could. Edward loved the quite time also by reading books and doing Sudoku puzzles. His family has called him the true definition of a family man. He always enjoyed trips the Atlantic City with his wife, daughter and son-in-law. He and his wife were also snow birds traveling to Sarasota, Florida during the winter months. He was a member of both the NYPD and FDNY�s Emerald Societies, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Helene (nee Costello). Edward was the devoted father to, Kathleen ''Kathie'' Kline, Margaret ''Peggy'' Alyward, Theresa Trotta (Steven), and Helene Alyward. The light of his life were his grandchildren, Matthew Planck, John, Jaclyn and Anna Trotta, and Elizabeth Kline. In more recent years he became a proud great grandfather to Lincoln and Scarlett Planck. Edward is also survived by his sister-in-law Helen Alyward and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at St. Clare Church located at 110 Nelson Avenue Staten Island, New York 10308. Arrangements include a Private Cremation. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals, Inc., 28 Eltingville Blvd, Staten Island, New York. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations in Edward's Memory be made to the Fire Family Transport Foundation.

Edward Thomas Aylward

October 2, 1931 - May 7, 2019