Colleagues mourn death of legislator
Ed Manny, 67, was a lifelong Troy resident
TROY, N.Y. » City and Rensselaer County officials are mourning the death of Democratic Deputy Minority Leader Ed Manny on Friday
County officials said Manny, 67, died in his sleep at his Troy home Friday.
Manny had been a Rensselaer County Legislator since 2010, rep- resenting residents of Troy’s district one.
Manny was a lifelong resident of Troy, a graduate of St. Augustine’s School and Catholic Central High School, class of 1969. He was married to Martha (Grady) for more than 40 years, and they have three children and seven grandchildren.
Manny retired from the Troy Fire Department after 28 years of service and was a member of the Troy Retired Firefighters As- sociation and president of the Troy Flag Day Parade Committee, having served as a member and a past president for 37 years. Manny served as a Troy fireman from September 1978 to September 2006.
Manny served on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, Rules and Legislative Operations Committee and sat in on all meetings of the Budget and Finance Committee. He was also a member of the Rensselaer County Agricultural and Farmland Pro-
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tection Board, the RCEmergency Radio Communications Committee and the RC Fire Advisory Board. Manny also served as chairman of the Soil and Water Conservation Board and was a past member of the Environmental Committee.
Members from the minority group said Manny was fully dedicated to the betterment of the community.
“Ed used to say, ‘ The citizens of Troy and Rensselaer County deserve a legislator who will serve the needs of our community and not themselves,’” Democratic Legislator Cindy Doran said.
“The city of Troy has lost a son,” Minority Leader Peter Grimm said. “He was not only our colleague in the legislature, but also our friend and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Martha and the entire Manny family during this difficult time.”
“As a retired Troy Firefighter with 28 years of dedicated service, he was always quick to volunteer and help anyone in need” added Democratic Legislator Mark Fleming.
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden and Chairman of the Legislature Mike Stammel also shared some words on the loss of Manny.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic and sudden loss of Ed Manny, retired firefighter, father, legislator, and steadfast advocate for the Collar City. Ed was an exemplary public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of our residents, families, and local businesses,” Madden said Friday morning. “Throughout his nearly 36-year career — first with the Troy Fire Department and later as deputy minority leader of the Rensselaer County Legislature — Ed demonstrated his passion for his neighbors, constituents and City which he loved. He was a dear friend and valued colleague who will be missed by all who knew him. To Martha and the entire Manny family, I extend my sincerest condolences on behalf of a grateful community during this difficult and challenging time.”
“Ed’s love for the people of Troy was without question. The knowledge and professionalism he brought to the Public Safety committee was invaluable,” added Stammel, a county legislator from Rensselaer. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
Newly elected Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said that Manny was helpful to him when he first took office this past January.
“Ed was particularly helpful when I took office in giving advice on emergency service and public safety is- sues. He worked hard for his constituents and was proud to represent the city he had called home during his life,” said McLaughlin. “Through his work with the Flag Day committee, Ed brought many years of enjoyment and civic pride for residents of Troy. Ed Manny leaves behind an impressive legacy of service and contribution to Troy and Rensselaer County, and we join in appreciation for his work and in sadness on his sudden passing.”
“Ed dedicated his life to protecting the residents of Troy as a firefighter and continued serving his community as a county legislator,” added Vice Chair of the Legislature Kelly Hoffman.
Troy Fire Chief Tom Garrett said that he had the opportunity to work several years with Manny and said that he will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him.
“Ed was a dedicated firefighter and county legislator and public safety was always the first thing on his mind,” Garrett said. “He was just a nice guy and a good person and we’ll all miss him.”
“He was absolutely just a wonderful guy. He was a good firemen and was a pleasure to work with,” added Assistant Troy Fire Chief Eric McMahon.