Obituary of Edward J Ries

Edward Ries, 72, passed on February 8, 2023 in his home surrounded by his adoring family. "Big Ed" was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, godfather, brother in-law and friend.

He was a proud Irish-German by birth, and Italian by choice. His childhood friends and next door neighbors introduced him to some of his favorite traditions of wine-making and homemade sausage. Luckily for him, the Italian family in the house next door had a daughter whom he knew would be his wife the first time they met. More than 50 years later Maria is still the love of his life.

Ed had other loves as well. Although he originally thought he would be a teacher like his mother, he took a job as a salesman for Thompson Materials right out of Christian Brothers University. After years of dedication, Ed and Mary took the business into their own hands. He is now known as a rebar industry great.

When Ed wasn`t at Thompson, he could be found golfing, watching golf, having drinks with the boys or tinkering around the yard. He didn`t miss a game if the Giants were playing. Ed had a love for live music, especially classic rock. He had no problem singing his favorite songs in his best soprano, which his children loved when he took them to see The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, The Who, Rod Stewart, The Eagles, or Pearl Jam.

Ed soaked up the sun any chance he could get. On a beach or by the pool, his family will always remember him sitting back, can in his hand, tunes on, and face toward the sunshine.

Ed is the beloved husband of 50 years to Maria L. (nee Tucci) Ries of Montville. Loving father of Edward S. Ries & his wife Sarah of Montville, Melissa Rodgers & her husband Brian of Whippany, Cheryl Gomez & her husband Ricky of Chester, and Christina Gluck & her husband Matt of Chester. Dear grandfather of Colin Rodgers, Shane Rodgers, Luke Rodgers, Marisa Gomez, Stella Gomez, Alena Gluck, Caleb Gluck, Genevieve Ries, Elsie Ries and Maisie Ries. Brother-in-Law of Tony Tucci of Paterson and Dominic Tucci & his wife Anna of Randolph. Also survived 3 nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Saturday at 8:45 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. James R.C. Church, Totowa at 9:15 AM. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. Friends may visit Friday 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and/or the American Cancer Society NJ Division Inc., 986 South Springfield Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081 would be appreciated.