Edwin “Ed” Marx passed away on February 7, 2015, just eight days shy of his 92nd birthday. Ed joined our staff in 2005 as one of the first members of our SPRY team. On his first day, he introduced himself and proudly told everyone that he was 82 years old. You’d never know it.

Ed had many careers in his lifetime, proudly serving in World War II in the U.S. Navy, and after that as a chemical engineer. Ed would regale us with his stories  traveling the world over. In his “semi-retirement,” Ed was Gentleman Dance Host on cruise ships. A dance host accompanies the single senior women on the dance floor and at other ship activities so they would enjoy their cruise. One of the requirements to be a dance host was to be sociably graceful, a good conversationalist and know the Foxtrot, Swing, Waltz, Rumba, and Cha-Cha.  Ed was dapper and elegant. When we learned of Ed’s passing, the most common word used to describe him was “gentleman.”

When he came to the Montrose Center’s SPRY team, he became dedicated to leading the men’s group and provided peer support to hundreds of gay and bisexual men age 60 and older. Ed retired last year at the age of 91. He would always tell the SPRY men that if he was able to get up and get around, they could too.

Ed was a member of the Prime Timers and worshiped at Bering Memorial United Methodist Church. One of Ed’s coworkers recounted how Ed loved BLTs from Acadian Bakery, so if you’re in the neighborhood, have one in his memory.

A private memorial is being held by Ed’s friends.

We celebrate Ed for his unforgettable presence in our lives, and for his tremendous courage and advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community—especially seniors—throughout his “rainbow” years.