August 5, 1940 – August 18, 2023
Alan J. Eddy, of Reading, devoted husband of Patricia (Haigh) Eddy, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on August 18th, 2023. He was 83.
Alan was born in South Boston on August 5, 1940, the son of the late Alanson and Mary (Ferrara) Eddy. He had a colorful childhood in Wilmington, with antics including staging fire-fighting contests in neighborhood fields (they did not end well on windy nights), building underground caves with his buddies (narrowly escaping their collapse), and collecting Native American arrowheads along the riverbanks and fields (only to attach them to sticks and have bow and arrow contests playing “Cowboys and Indians” with his friends). He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1959.
Alan was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Europe with the 504 Military Police Battalion in Straubing, Germany and enjoyed his time on leave touring Italy, France and Germany. A polyglot, he spoke fluent French, and was proficient in Latin, German and Italian. Later in his life, he taught himself Spanish by watching telenovelas when Reading started carrying Spanish channels on TV. He worked in sales & color matching at Raffi and Swanson, Inc of Wilmington where he fell in love at first sight when he met his wife, Patricia (Haigh) Eddy, at a company bowling match. They were happily married for 55 years. Alan retired early from his desk job to pursue his passion for art.
A self-taught artist specializing in marine art, Alan was also accomplished in landscapes, still life and portraiture. Known for his paintings of historic yacht races with realistic waves and majestic skies, he also painted beach roses, hydrangeas, and coastal scenes from Cape Cod. Alan was represented by galleries from Cape Ann to Cape Cod and the islands. He was proud to have his work in key private maritime art collections, banks, the Boston Harbor Hotel and on display at the Mystic Maritime Museum. Alan’s creative talent also included music. He played the guitar, banjo, and piano and passed along his creative talents to his children.
Alan loved nature. An avid gardener, he enjoyed growing anything from seed including a 7 foot tall avocado tree he started in a glass of water. He kept bees for 25 years sharing his honey with family and friends. Alan sat on his porch each day and surrounded his St Frances statue with birdseed welcoming all animals–from squirrels and chipmunks to possums and raccoons. Rabbits would sit by his side and chipmunks felt at home by his feet. Birds and butterflies were attracted to his native pollinator meadow garden. Crows recognized him and would come when he “cawed”. When he had to go indoors, it was to root for any Boston sports team that happened to be playing. He loved watching fighter jets fly over his house on Opening Day and always marveled at how quickly they made it to Fenway.
Alan leaves behind his son James C. Eddy and grandson Jason A. Eddy of Glendale, CA and his daughter Jessica Eddy-Storey and her husband Michael Storey of Beverly. He is survived by his brothers: Carlton A. Eddy of Texas, Robert F. Eddy of Washington, and Harry G Eddy of Maine.
Services are private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Alan’s memory to American Kidney Fund www.kidneyfund.org
