Edward James Kfoury

SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. & Oquossoc – Edward James Kfoury lived a full life with an abundance of joy, a twinkle in his eye and a broad smile on his face. He was born to Edward and Delia (Hajjar) Kfoury in Lawrence, Mass., and learned the values of hard work, education, and constantly pursuing your goals from his bright and loving parents. In 1961 he married his first love, Patricia, and the two embarked on an amazing journey of career, family, travel, and laughter, until the passing of his beloved wife in 2011. Ed cherished his time at the University of Notre Dame and the football program became an integral part of his life beginning as a student and after graduation as an assistant coach. Returning to the east coast he began a long and successful career with IBM. He flourished as head of IBM Asia for two years, where he and Patricia immersed themselves in the rich culture of Japan. After returning to the States Ed improved other divisions as a Division President. Ed called Oquossoc, Maine, and Sanibel, Florida, home and was a dedicated member of the communities he so loved. Golfing at the Sanctuary with the “wolf pack” and with the “Gingerbread Men” at Mingo Springs, was a great joy and he delighted in placing a friendly wager on many a round of golf. Oquossoc and the beauty of the Rangeley Lakes Region was always an inspiration to him. This is where his soul called home. He worked tirelessly with his wife by his side on creating the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust and revitalizing the Cupsuptic Campground to ensure that future generations could appreciate and enjoy the unique natural wonders that embody the spirit of the area. He owned Mooselookmeguntic House, the Gingerbread House Restaurant, The Gallery at Stonybatter, and Stonybatter Enterprises over his many years in the region and loved the GB round table where he enjoyed breakfast while solving the world’s problems with his friends and family. His lasting legacy will be found in the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust which preserves over 14,000 acres of western Maine. His dedication to the Nature Conservancy of Maine was most valued for his creative solutions in his role as a mentor and Board member. Ed was blessed to find love again with his partner Margaret Furniss, the two enjoyed retirement, family, culinary adventures in their kitchen and in the world’s restaurants. They shared a love of travel with trips to France, Russia, Italy, Kenya, and London. Ed’s friends and family were everything to him and he was a true loving patriarch to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Family BBQs, boating trips, fishing, camping, golfing, and so much more were always on the schedule so he could spend time with the ones he loved. Ed is survived by his children: Mark Kfoury, Chris Kfoury, Kate Williamson and husband Brian Williamson; his grandchildren Matt, Tade, Melissa, Ashley, and Brian; Margaret Furniss and her son Vanneman and his wife Sammantha and their children Henry and Annie; and his great grandchildren Avery, Olive and Violette. He is also survived by his brother James, sister Ellen, brother-in-law Stephen, and sister-in-law Susan and a gaggle of loving cousins and great friends in New York, Maine and Sanibel. Private family graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Rangeley. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday June 30 at 2 p.m., at his home at 371 Bald Mountain Road, Oquossoc. All are welcome. The family is also planning a service in Sanibel for late fall. Memories and a memorial video may be shared in his Book of Memories at http://www.wilesrc.com. Funeral services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center of Farmington.Ed’s passion was conserving nature so in lieu of flowers, please consider continuing his legacy by donating to the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust(www.rlht.org), 2424 Main Street Rangeley, Me. 04970 and The Nature Conservancy in Maine (www.nature.org) 14 Main Street Suite 401 Brunswick, ME. 04011.