Edward "Ed" Earl Chaney

Edward (Ed) Earl Chaney, 78, of Huntingtown, Maryland, passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. Ed was born on November 28, 1943, in Nash County, North Carolina and grew up in Cheverly, Maryland. He met the love of his life, Ruby McCormac, as a student at Bladensburg High School in 1962. They were set up on a date by a friend in 1967 and Ed was on the pursuit until 1968 when Ruby finally gave in. They married on October 12, 1968 in a clandestine ceremony and remained happily married until his dying day. Ed was a volunteer firefighter at the Tuxedo-Cheverly VFD in the early 1960s. He came to the department through the culmination of the Friendly Inn, playing football, and a skydiving mishap. He began his professional firefighting career in the Town of Landover Hills in 1965 and rose through the ranks to Assistant Chief/Major in the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. He was a charter member and served on the executive board of IAFF Local 1619, the Prince George’s County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association. Ed was dedicated and very proud of his work in the fire service. Throughout his career, he was a highly respected leader and mentor in the Department. He retired in 1989. He was proud of his long tenure serving as the Chairman of the Beer Committee for the IAFF MDA fundraising softball tournament. From the early days at RIPS Field through the move to Watkins Regional Park, he subjected the crowds to his love of bluegrass music. He was strong in his convictions and was “larger than life”. As a youth, Ed enjoyed spending holidays and summers in North Carolina with his family where he learned to garden. When not working, Ed could be found in his Huntingtown garden, and in true Ed-style, it was not your typical garden. This pastime eventually turned into an acre parcel on a local farm, where his wife, Ruby, and daughter, Kathryn, could be found working alongside him. He grew most everything they ate and shared the fruits of his labors with friends and neighbors. The garden was a huge part of their lives until they built a house in Ocean Pines, Maryland, and Ed moved from buying canoes to boats with engines. There were many adventures to be had on the Blue Streak. Later, the “party barge” pontoon boat became a favorite pastime. In his retirement, Ed continued to try to replicate the southern cooking from his aunts in North Carolina. It started with his quest for the perfect biscuit and cooking became a hobby. He blessed many a home and holiday with his deviled eggs, chicken salad, Brunswick stew and many kinds of pies. Throughout the years few things brought him as much joy as spending time with friends and colleagues at the Minebank Farm in Virginia. Family and friends were very important to him. Ed is survived by his wife, Ruby Chaney of Huntingtown, Maryland; daughter, Kathryn Chaney of Leonardtown, Maryland, and sister, Linda Chaney Parong of LaPlata, Maryland and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Shirley Chaney Johnson. Donations can be made to the Dementia Society of America https://www.dementiasociety.org/ The family will receive guests at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736 on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM; to be followed by a Memorial Service from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Edward "Ed" Earl Chaney please visit our Sympathy Store.