Edward Stanley Balcerski, longtime mail carrier

Edward “Ed” Stanley Balcerski, 91 (and a half!), of Syracuse, N.Y., passed away Thursday, July 8, 2021, of heart failure. He was born Jan. 27, 1930, in Wilmington.

At the end of World War II, desiring to serve his country by joining the war effort, Ed talked his parents into allowing him to proudly enlist in the Army at age 17. He was stationed in Japan and was offered a position to teach in heavy equipment, but he opted to work in the post office instead. He loved doing this job, because it gave him independence and he loved people. As it turned out, this was a great decision for him. When he returned to the United States, he was already trained for his life’s career as a mail carrier. His brother worked in the postal office in the States and helped him get a job on an independent carrier’s route. He liked to say that he “pounded the bricks up one side of the street and down the other.”

Ed had varied interests during his life. Some of these included a love of horses, going crabbing at the shore, boating, woodworking, and reminiscing on his many adventures in his childhood, young adulthood, the Army, and as a mailman. He had many lively tales to tell, and his memory of every person he met along the way was incredible.

Ed’s philosophy of life was that no matter the circumstances, we should all have levity in our lives. He certainly lived up to this philosophy, even in his last days.

Ed is survived by his wife, Yvonne Marie Balcerski, one stepson, two nephews, one cousin and their respective families. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings. Memorial services will be held privately by his family. Memorial contributions can be made to support.woundedwarriorproject.org.