Edwin Louis Kann

Edwin (Ed) Kann (80) a well loved man of many interests, died on Feb 12, 2025 in Inverness, FL, after a brief illness.

 He was born in the Bronx, NY on Sept 20, 1944 to Louis Kann and Alta (Cox) Kann. As a young man he reveled in the freedom of the suburbs with his many friends. He attended W.T. Clarke high school in East Meadow, NY and always planned to become an architect, but God had other plans.

 Ed met his soon to be wife, Kathleen (Kathy) Seith at a high school party in 1962 where his band was playing and he was the sax soloist. It took a few months for them to find each other romantically, but even at their young ages (18 and 19) they became inseparable. While “going steady” they were involved in a severe car accident that changed their lives. Ed had to give up his college plans and Kathy was unable to continue in nursing school. 

While their plans changed, so did their commitment to each other and they married Feb 27, 1965 at St. Ignatius Loyola church in Hicksville, NY with scores of loving family and friends to wish them well. It was a very warm day in late February that year, and their plans for a snowy Pocono, PA honeymoon took a hit as well but being two “lovestruck” kids, they loved every minute of it.

 Their children Christine Hoage and Matthew Kann were born 13 months apart but were best friends from Day One. As their interests expanded (Chris with Girl Scouts, HS theater and Dungeons and Dragons and Matt with Little League, the Mets and girls) they still support and love each other and their Dad. Ed also passed on his love of good music and good food to them. But most of all, he provided a shining example of what a caring husband and father should be.

 Ed and Kathy were blessed with 3 grandchildren, Rachel Stegemann, Dakota Kann and Dylan Kann. All are very successful, and while they live at a distance, they are still close to his heart. In fact, his #1 job was spoiling them, just as he had with Christine and Matt.

 Growing up, he had many dogs, but when newly married he adopted a kitten, and later added several more, at one time as many as six!) True to his early roots, though, he preferred dogs, usually big ones, often Labs. His latest, and he’d confess,his favorite, was Molly, that he raised from an 8 week old pup to a 17 year old senior that died 2 years ago. He took her everywhere, even long 3 day car trips to their snowbird retreat in Floral City, FL.

 Ed had many friends growing up and he’d loved to tell stories about their hi-jinks: long bike rides to Jones Beach, flounder fishing on Long Island Sound, swimming in Lake Ronkonkoma and playing sax at the NY Worlds Fair in 1964. His best friend was Ronnie Sokol who he continued to treasure till his dying day. He also became very close to his brother-in-law, Jack Seith, who he considered another brother.

 Ed was also passionate about his 2 careers. He became a Suffolk County NY Police officer: for the first 10 years as a patrol officer, even starting a Police Explorer group in the county, and later as a plainclothes officer in Community Relations where he became the premier drug enforcement educator in high schools and colleges in Suffolk County. Before his SCPD retirement, he planned on a second career as an RN through Suffolk County Community College. Once he graduated, he did it all: ER. psych, industrial health, geriatrics, office nurse and home health. He was great at it and he found it very fulfilling.

 Through the years, he was an active member of our local Catholic church: currently St. Mary’s in Granville, NY and Our Lady of Fatima in Inverness, FL. He enjoyed their volunteer opportunities, as Eucharistic Minister and working in their food bank and thrift store. He also volunteered for more than 10 years at Haynes House of Hope, a hospice home in Granville, NY. They will miss his caring and compassionate presence.

 Like his varied nursing occupations, his hobbies were many, and at times, all encompassing: stamp and coin collecting, fly tying, fishing, model trains, bowling, golfing and especially following the NY Mets and LA Rams.

 Ed will always be remembered for his devotion to his wife, Kathy, of almost 60 years. They traveled the world together and he made the world a little better with his volunteering and his love of HHW (Hebron House in the Woods), a tiny home perched on the side of a mountain in upstate NY. He made it a showplace and a getaway that he and Kathy treasured.

 He is predeceased by his parents Louis Kann and Alta (Cox) Kann and is survived by his wife Kathy, his daughter Christine Hoage (Daniel) and son Matthew (partner Stefanie Pappalarado) and grandchildren Rachel, Dylan and Dakota. Also his sister-in-law, Christine Hugick and his brother Norman Rafsol (Barbara) They were very precious to him

 Ed couldn’t have been a better husband, father, grandpa, brother or friend and we will miss and love him every day. He will live in our hearts forever.

 A memorial service will be held at a later date this spring in Granville, NY. Donations In his name would be gratefully accepted at Haynes House of Hope in Granville, NY