Edward William Poyer

EDWARD WILLAIM POYER, 89, of Providence, passed away Monday, November 9, 2015 at the Rhode Island Veterans Home. He was the beloved husband of Blanche A. (Hayes) Poyer for 68 years. Born in Northbridge, Massachusetts he was the son of the late Edward and Antoinette (Malboeuf) Poyer.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Edward C. and Denise Poyer; Denise’s children, Christopher Burgess and Angela Strano, and Kerrie and Russel Spencer; and two great grandsons Jacob and Zachary Spencer. He was the brother of the late Raymond Poyer.

Eddy left high school at 17 to join the Navy in 1943. He served on the destroyer USS Richmond as a radio operator. The only story Eddy every told about the war was concerning the events before Japan’s surrender. His ship was one of those on the way to engage the nation of Japan. Eddy was in the radio shack when news that the H bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. No one on the ship could conceive of how a single bomb could destroy an entire city. It was the day after his 19th birthday.

After WWII Eddy took up residence in Providence and married Blanche in 1947. In 1950 he was recalled to duty to serve in the Korean War for two years. He returned to live in Providence and welcomed his only son, Edward Charles, into the world in 1953. Eddy continued his education, receiving his GED. He went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from URI’s College of Continuing Education in 1973. He was working fulltime while attending classes in the evenings.

Eddy began working for the City of Providence in the Police Department in 1952 as civilian night clerk in the traffic division. During his career with the city he advanced to the position of Fiscal Officer in the Department of Public Safety. He managed all the budgets for the Police, Fire, and Communications Departments and Department of Public Safety; as well as the administration of federal grants for the city.

Upon retirement in 1991 after 39 years of service, the mayor of Providence proclaimed Eddy Poyer Day. The city council also passed a resolution thanking him for his service.

Eddy was a communicant of St. Augustine Church for close to 50 years. He greatly enjoyed hiking with his son, Ed, in the White Mountains. He and Blanche also enjoyed several trips to the Fox Ridge Resort in North Conway and the Balsams Resort in Dixville Notch, NH.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the MACERONI FUNERAL HOME, 1381 Smith St., North Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Morning, November 13, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, 639 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence. Interment with Military Honors will be in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.