Edward "Eddy" Tamulynas, 69, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, passed away surrounded by loved ones on July 8, 2025. Eddy is preceded in death by his wife Martha Tamulynas and by his parents John and Wanda Tamulynas. Born on July 10, 1955, in Boston, Eddy brimmed with positivity and warmth, and he lived a life of service to others.
Eddy grew up in Brighton just a block away from St. Columbkille Parish – a place where so many of his formative experiences would unfold. As an altar boy and active member in the parish, he began to build what would become the bedrock of his strong faith. He attended St. Columbkille high, where he played football and met his "sweet girl" Martha Newell on the cheerleading squad.
Eddy and Martha were the quintessential high school sweethearts and were married at St. Columkille in 1979. Their love multiplied four years later when they welcomed their son Andrew to the world – just one block away at St. Elizabeth's hospital. Eddy and Martha were both incredibly loving and supportive parents to Andrew and partners to each other.
Eddy wore many hats as a dad, but the ones Andrew remembers most fondly are gourmet-homemade-pizza-chef, hotel-pool-splashfight-partner, and soccer coach. Eddy didn't know a thing about soccer, but he was the first dad to raise his hand to volunteer as coach. That's just who he was.
Eddy loved gift giving, especially around Christmas. He was skilled at coming up with cryptic clues that he would write on the outside of the wrapping paper, and you weren't allowed to open the present until you at least tried to guess what might be inside. Ever the showman, he also loved to model his own gifts for everyone in the room. Nancy, Michael, Chrissy, and Tom will always remember Eddy for his extreme gratitude for even the most normal of gifts. He would do a full runway walk across the living room for a new pair of gloves. He just wanted everyone to know how much he appreciated them.
Both Martha and Eddy fell ill subsequently in 2003 and 2004, and in each of their times of need, their love for one another was never stronger or more obvious. They cared for each other physically and emotionally, lived each day fully, and took nothing for granted.
When Martha passed away in 2007, Eddy and Andrew leaned heavily on one another for support. Eddy made frequent appearances in Boston to meet Andrew for breakfast, see him perform with his band, or just to hang out at his apartment with the guys. He always seemed to have a sense for when someone around him needed support – whether they said so or not – and he was always there.
He was so happy to watch love unfold between Andrew and Jess and to welcome her as his daughter-in-law. In true Eddy fashion, he soon developed a taste for Lady Gaga, cute pomeranians, and emojis. If you were excited about something, Eddy was excited about it too. That's just one of the ways he showed his love. He was over the moon about his newest role as "Papa" to JJ, and he cherished being part of his young life.
Eddy felt blessed to have received a second chance in life after his illness in 2004. While he was always a generous, kind, and good man, he somehow managed to multiply these qualities in the second half of his life. He volunteered for meals on wheels, taught CCD, drove friends and strangers alike to far-flung medical appointments, shared his story with those in need, and so much more.
He built a circle of like-minded friends, and got tremendous strength and joy from their company. A new chapter began to open in Eddy's life – one that he never thought possible. Eddy was blessed to find love twice when he met his wife Martha Marszalek. What began as a lunch date blossomed into eleven years of adventures, laughter, companionship, love, and support.
With so many core things in common, they understood one another completely. Eddy loved to surprise Martha with flowers, and she took great pride in planning and making healthy meals for him. They built a strong and loving support system for one another, and when Eddy's health began to change in recent years, Martha was his rock. They took excellent care of each other in good times and bad, and felt great joy in doing so.
Eddy's beloved siblings-in-law, Nancy Mahoney, Michael Mahoney, and Mark Newell, will fondly remember their many decades of laughter. He is also survived by cherished nieces and nephews, friends, and his sister Joan Piacentini.
Eddy Tamulynas lived a life of service to others. A life of being there when you needed him. A life of loving what you loved. A life of putting others first. A good life, well lived.