Edward “Eddie” Pechner
His Spirit Will Live On in the Hearts of Everyone Who Knew Him.
Edward “Eddie” Pechner of Chelsea, 70, passed away peacefully on April 29.
The loving son of the late Benjamin and Ada Pechner, he was the dear brother of Allan Pechner, Barbara Autry and her husband, Bill, Sarah Murphy and her companion, Michael Rullo, Laurie Goodrich and the late Annette Marson. He is also survived by many adoring nieces and nephews.
Eddie was a simple, good, pure, kind and humble man. He was also a charismatic person who was loved by everyone who knew him. The love he received from family, his Mass General Hospital family and all his friends was a testimony to his loving spirited nature. Eddie loved his family including all his nephews and nieces. His cats, Blackie and Twinkle, along with his birds, brought him much happiness.
He enjoyed his local trips and walks in Boston and his travels to North Conway or other vacation spots. Eddie never let his illness get in the way of what he wanted to do. He did it his way against medical advice. Eddie worked his whole life at MGH as an Environmental Services Aid. He received many awards during his career and was a devoted, loyal employee. He would say it was his coworkers that he loved and were the best thing about his job and they kept him from leaving. They would all be waiting for Eddie to arrive at work as he had a unique ability to light up the room when he entered. He loved his dinners and one-line jokes with his Mass General family. Eddie was so proud of his home and his cats and always shared pictures with anyone he came in contact with.
In honoring Eddie’s life, let us remember his loving spirit, his one-line jokes and his kindness. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, May 5, in the Torf Funeral Chapel, 151
Washington Ave., Chelsea, followed by burial in Everett. We invite you to please share memories, stories and photos of Eddie in the guestbook on the funeral home website: ww.torffuneralservice.com Your recollections will serve as a tribute to this wonderful, good man and he will continue to bring smiles to our faces as we remember him. His spirit will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Sheila Garnick
Dedicated Educator
Sheila (Covitz) Garnick, 86, of Peabody, formerly of Revere, passed away in Marblehead on June 1. Sheila was a dedicated educator, having served as a Chapter 1 demonstration/lead teacher at Mary C. Burke Elementary School and Williams South Elementary School in Chelsea. She later became the Title I director for the Chelsea Public School District. Sheila’s passion for childhood literacy led her to co-author works published in the Journal of Education and the Journal of Learning Disabilities Research & Practice. Her work was recognized by the US Department of Education and the programs she helped pilot in Chelsea culminated in recognition from former first lady Laura Bush. In her free time, Sheila loved to travel and hosted her annual tea social, bringing joy to those around her. She was an avid reader who inspired countless children to develop a lifelong love of reading. Sheila will be deeply missed by her siblings: Wesley Covitz, Bennett Covitz and Lisa Tetreault; her children: Brian Garnick (Sue), Andrea Dodge (Nick), Amy Dalton (Ken), Melissa Johnson (Carl)’ her grandchildren: Isaac, Jeremy, Betsy, Alex, Andrew and Catherine and all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Abraham Garnick, her mother, Clara (Fooks) Covitz, her father, Hyman Covitz, and her aunt, Mildred Fooks. A graveside ceremony was held at the Roumanian American Cemetery, 16 Buxton Lane, Danvers on Tuesday June 4 at 10 a.m, In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Raising a Reader Massachusetts at https://raisingareaderma.org/donate/#donate-form. For online guestbook and directions, please visit the funeral home website: www.torffuneralservice.com.