Edward Tansey

Edward Michael Tansey Sr., passed away on Sunday April 14, 2013, after a 7 ½ year battle with aggressive metastatic prostate cancer. He endured many interventions and clinical studies in the hope it would someday help someone else.

Ed was born on Valentine's Day 1943 to Evelyn Atherton Tansey and John Patrick Tansey Jr.; proud to be a third generation Erie-ite. He considered himself to be a lover not a fighter!

Ed graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1961 after a stellar basketball career that included being selected 1st team all city. He attended Edinboro University on a basketball scholarship then transferred to St. Petersburg Jr. College. He was an eight year Coast Guard reservist playing on the traveling basketball team for the base.

After his move to Florida he worked for The Tansey Co. purchasing it from his father at the age of 29, running manufacturing plants in Florida and Texas. He owned many small companies over the years but in 1989 wanting to return to his roots, purchased Villa Medical Supply in Erie. Ed was an avid golfer belonging to Culbertson Hills, Lakeview and Kahkwa Country Club where he was senior club champion. He was also low qualifier for the PA state amateur golf tournament at age 55, finishing top 40 in the state. Ed was also the long time chairman of the American Cancer Society golf tournament and the Erie Day School Adopt a Scholar golf tournament. Additionally, he was a member of the Friars Club, Erie Yacht Club and Wayside Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie Thayer Tansey of Millcreek; three daughters Melissa Tansey Ormand (Steve) of Hickory Creek, TX; Leslie A. Harvey (Richard) of McKean, PA; and Amy E. Gallo (Jaimen) of Erie; two sons; E. Michael Tansey, Jr. (Erin) of Arlington, TX and Eric D. Hermann of Orange, CA. He is further survived by nine grandchildren Brandon Baccus (Lauren), McKenzie Harrison, Eric, Ryan, and Evelyn Harvey, Jackson and Jonas Gallo, Adyn and Layne Tansey; one great-grandson Bryson Baccus and a brother John Patrick Tansey III (Joann) of Elk Grove, CA.

The family would like to thank Dr. Joe Deimel and Dr. Jan Rothman and the nursing staff at the VNA Hospice for their comfort and care.

Friends may call at Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Friday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 pm and on Saturday from 9:00 am until the time of the service there at 10:00 am with Rev. Keith Sundberg officiating.

Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to LEAF Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park 1640 West 8th Street Erie, PA 16505 or Erie Day School Adopt-A-Scholar Program 1372 West 6th Street Erie, PA 16505.