Alfred Victor Eade

Olean- Alfred Victor Eade 

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our dad, Alfred V. Eade, on February 8, 2024, surrounded by his family.  Over the last two years, as his health slowly declined, he showed great strength, perseverance, and bravery. His love for his family and enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures (like sharing a meal together, playing the ukulele to his great-grandchildren, and teaching his children the correct way to cook a steak) kept him fighting to stay as healthy and active as possible until the end. 

Dad was born on April 25,1934, to his parents, Elias Sr. and Domina Eade. When Elias immigrated to the United States from Lebanon as a young child in 1899 with his mother and brother, his name was Elias Eid Bakklini. As with many immigrants who traveled through Elis Island, his name was changed, and Eid became Eade, Bakklini was dropped, and the Eade surname was established. Our Dad was so proud of his heritage and the work ethic he adopted from his parents. He often shared with us the tenacity and grit that he witnessed growing up “below the tracks,” an expression he was very proud to say, watching all the immigrant families work so hard to give their children a better life. His fondest childhood memories were the days spent working (and eating his mother’s amazing food) in the Casino de Paris, the first movie theatre/dinner restaurant in Olean that his father built and opened in 1940. 

Education was extremely important to his father, who insisted that his sons AND daughters attend college and as a result all four graduated with college degrees. After attending Olean schools, Dad graduated from Olean High School in 1952 and began his studies at Cornell University, majoring in engineering. While attending summer classes following his sophomore year, he received the devastating news that his father had passed away in his sleep from a heart attack at the age of 66. This news forever altered the course of dad’s life. He immediately left Cornell and returned home to help his mother run the family business, which now included the second Casino restaurant, after the first one was sold.   While supporting his mother, he enrolled at St. Bonaventure University, and graduated in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and thirteen years later a master’s degree in education. He taught in the Friendship Central School District for three years and loved teaching. He created a relationship with his students, some of whom would show up at his front door to sit and visit. He eventually had to leave the field of education to join his brother, Eli, in running Eade Distributing Co., a wholesale beer business, until his retirement in 1989. 

On August 17, 1957, he married his former wife, Deanna J. Bruner, and together they raised their six children with the same work ethic while stressing the importance of an education. He was very proud that all six of his children earned college degrees. 

After his retirement, he continued to teach various adult education classes at Boces. His students complimented him on his ability to teach math, typing, accounting and spreadsheets in an interesting way that made it easier to absorb the basics and apply these skills to their job. He understood his student’s sentiment because he was appreciative of his own teachers. He often placed flowers on the grave of his favorite teacher, Miss Oliver, who taught him Latin at OHS.

In retirement, he owned and operated the real estate properties his parents had acquired and was proud to carry on their legacy. Over many years, he worked especially hard to bring back the grandeur of the Queen Anne Victorian house that his father converted from a one family mansion to a 12-unit apartment house. In doing so, his favorite expression was born: “It’s Always Something,” which was printed on our family reunion t-shirts in August 2023.  He ran a tight ship with many rules, and his tenants came to respect and care about him. He showed his appreciation for them every Christmas with gifts outside their doors. He could not run his properties without the assistance of the many loyal and talented carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and lawn maintenance people he employed. We are very grateful to the late Pat Quinn, his son, Mark Quinn, Rick Mikolajczyk, Tom Bowser, Rick Fortuna, Mike Chew, Danny Green, and Tim Peterson, and so many others who were available whenever a need arose.

Dad was very proud of his hometown and served on many boards and committees to ensure that Olean would thrive and provide opportunities or recognition to its residents. This included 17 years on the Olean Public Library board, where he served as president for a time and established the original Friends of the Library Association. He supported his city by serving on the First Time Homebuyers board, the North Union Street Renovation committee, and the Louis Zamperini committee to honor Olean’s native son and war hero. As a visionary & believer in his community, he would contact the mayor or his alderman with new ideas. When his youngest son showed an interest in soccer, he led the committee to install the sport of soccer in the Olean City School District. 

He loved watching movies, old and new, the Buffalo Bills and the Bonnies. He loved to read about history, biographies, and current events.  He was famous for his knowledge of historical events, which always included an interesting back story not found in the history books. He had a talent for writing, and even wrote some short stories in his youth. He especially enjoyed eating at the various restaurants in town, where he was always greeted with kindness and respect. He loved having breakfast with his buddies, driving to Belfast or Derrick City. His biggest joy in his later years was spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces/nephews who took the time to send cards, emails, gifts or visit with him around the kitchen table.

He will be deeply missed by his children, Kathryn and his very special son-in-law, his right-hand man, his friend, Fred Welch, Michael (Robin) Eade, Patricia Fields, Mary (Alan Richard Jr.) Cregut, Matthew Eade, and Jeffrey (Meredith) Eade. Dad was not only a loving father to his own children, but he formed a strong bond with and cherished his honorary children: Jacob (Liz) Chafik, Jill & daughter, Eden Chafik, and Emily (Connor McLaughlin) Chafik. 

His grandchildren meant the world to him: Kate (Chris Perri) Welch, Kristen (Hastings) Blumer, Kara (David) Richardson, Kevin (Katie Carpenter) Welch, his step-grandchildren, Noelle Vaughn and Aaron Vaughn, Chelsea (Zach Orlowski) Fields, Alyssa (Mike) Krysiak, Jessica (Chris Higgins) Fields, Peter Cregut, Leah Cregut, Sylvia Eade, Raymond Eade, Madison Eade, and Logan Eade. His great-grandchildren were an extra source of pride, and he treasured them all - Isabel Perri, Berkeley and Bear Blumer, Dean Richardson, Cora Welch, Roxy Orlowski and baby boy Orlowski (due in March).  He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Bett and Vickie Eddy, and his sister-in-law, Souad Eade, who were very special to him. He loved spending time with his many nieces, nephews, and cousins along with his friend, Enzo Baggazoli, the last surviving member of their breakfast group. 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Elias Eade Jr., sister Margaret Bunk, brothers-in-law Tom Bett and Leon Eddy, granddaughter Amanda Kathryn Fields and so many wonderful friends whom he treasured.

Friends & family will be received on Sunday afternoon, February 18, from 1-5 at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E State Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Basilica of St. Mary’s of the Angels on Monday, February 19th at 10:00.  Burial will be in St. Bonaventure cemetery next to his parents and brother. The service will be live streamed on the church’s website www.smaolean.org and click on “live stream” for the Angel Cam. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials in his name may be made to St. Joseph’s Maronite Church, 1102 Walnut Street, Olean, NY 14760, where he was a lifetime member, or the Olean Public Library, 134 N. 2nd Street, Olean, NY 14760. 

We are very grateful to dad’s doctors and their staff at the Olean Medical Group, in particular Dr. Cox, Annie, Dr. Cihak, Sharon, and Lisa and her staff at Worthy Pharmacy, who were very integral in dad’s care.  Dad had wonderful neighbors and tenants, who cared about him. Our family is very thankful for Mark Quinn, Charlene Eade, Tiernney Bernstein, Estelle Giardini, and our Hospice team who assisted us in every way to ensure dad’s safety and well-being, so we could honor his wishes to stay in his home.  Dad treasured his family and always said “I’m a lucky guy.”  Dad loved Olean, lived here all his life, and never had a desire to live anywhere else. Now you can rest dad. We love you!!!