Contributions to the tribute of Warren Eddy

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Philip Chase posted a condolence

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Just wanted to let Mr Eddy's family know that he was a hero. At least he was one to my late mother, Jean Chase. My mother read more books than anyone I've ever known and she must have gone through the entire Cortland Public Library's collection at least twice and I clearly remember her praising her friend Mr Eddy countless times. According to her, he was the heart of Cortland's cultural life. And with his help, my mother was able to persevere through some very dark times. His family and Cortland should be very proud of his contributions to the city and its library patrons. Thank you, Mr Eddy.

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Carl Eddy posted a condolence

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

I’ve been contemplating how to summarize my cousin Warren’s legacy, at least from my personal point of view. There are many endearing stories about his meticulous habits and attention to details: sometimes archaic, sometimes cute, sometimes quirky, and, of course, sometimes quite significant. But I think there is another, more meaningful legacy at work here. Warren was a beacon in the grand Eddy tradition of reading, writing, and learning, not simply as an academic exercise, but as a life-long habit of enjoyment, improvement, and responsible citizenship. Our grandmother, Minnie (Beck) Eddy, was a school teacher; Warren’s mother was a school teacher; his father was a teacher and professor of English; Warren’s brother Bob was a history buff and learner; my parents, my brothers, and I were and are voracious readers; my daughter is a school teacher of reading and writing; and, to my wife’s constant chagrin, we follow in the Eddy tradition of living amongst countless books, magazines, and learning materials. There are high expectations in our family for reading comprehension and all forms of effective written expression. Additionally, most of us have a deep appreciation for the arts in general. We are a literary, musical, and artistic clan. To his lasting credit, Warren embodied and extended these high expectations in his role as the head librarian of the Cortland Free Library. Libraries are public resources for reading, listening, viewing, and, most importantly, learning. They provide public computer access and training. They conduct public learning programs of all shapes and sizes. Today, with so many of our public institutions under assault, the work of public librarians should be evermore cherished, respected, honored, and, most importantly, taken advantage of. The more I’ve thought about it, I believe Warren’s role in this priceless public service, his lifelong choice of good citizenship and community service, is his greatest and most far-reaching legacy. Good man! Carl Eddy

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Kevin and Sheila Ossit lit a candle

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

I will miss Warren. I've had the absolute privilege of serving our community alongside Warren as a member of Cortland Rotary Club. He attended the Halloween Socials at our home the last couple of years and always sent a lovely note after the event...thanking us for inviting him, but most of all, he thanked me for baking a "delicious lemon cake". :>) I will think of him every baseball season. I will remember him with fondness. Again...I will miss him. May he rest in peace. -Sheila Ossit (and Kevin too)

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Carl Eddy uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

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We extend our sincere condolences to Warren’s family, friends, and Cortland colleagues. I grew up knowing my cousins Warren and his brother, Bob, when they lived in Niagara Falls and my family lived in Buffalo. Our families had an annual tradition of gathering together for the Thanksgiving holiday, alternating between our homes each year. This tradition continued even after Warren’s parents, my Uncle Gordon and Aunt Norma, moved to Oswego. As my childhood years passed, life itself and Thanksgivings took us in different directions, and I saw my aunt and uncle less frequently, and cousins even less so. Too often these infrequent encounters took place at funeral services for family members. I’m pleased and fortunate that I was able to reconnect with Warren after I wrote to him four years ago. Since then, we corresponded and spoke on the phone several times, and, of course, we met at Bob’s memorial service last year. Just nine weeks ago, Warren traveled to Buffalo to attend my sister-in-law’s memorial service. In his reflection that day, he noted that he was the oldest Eddy. That same day, it felt good to introduce Warren to our daughter, our son and daughter-in-law, and our grandsons. My daughter, Emma, and I walked him to his car as he was anxious to return quickly to Cortland to ensure he was ready for the next day to carry out his proud Memorial Day duty of reading the names of recently passed veterans. There are many fond memories of Warren that I will retain: playing darts together; his ever-under-repair LaSalle; our good-natured rivalry during the 1968 World Series between Denny McLain’s Detroit Tigers and Bob Gibson’s St. Louis Cardinals; the cross-country trip to Utah I took with Warren, Uncle Gordon, and Aunt Norma to attend cousin Bob’s wedding to Carol; and all the Thanksgiving memories, so many that I was motivated to write a song about them, about seeing folks we hadn’t seen since the year before, reminiscing, sharing stories and marvelous dinners. Now, I’m the oldest born Eddy. Rest in peace, Warren. And as you would say, “Good man!” Carl Eddy Buffalo, NY

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The family of Warren Eddy uploaded a photo

Friday, July 25, 2025

In loving memory of

Warren

1937 - 2025