Edward William Rinard Rella, 93, of 103 Denbeigh Avenue, Oriskany, and West Palm Beach, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Friday evening, December 22, 2006, in Columbia Hospital, West Palm Beach, Florida. He had the comfort of his family at his side at the time of his passing. Mr. Rella, son of Vincent Rella and Maria (Perritano) Rella, was born in Dunnsmore, Pennsylvania on October 25, 1913. He attended Oriskany Central School and at the age of 15, his father had the foresight to send Edward off to Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois. Edward loved living on the farm in Oriskany, which was also a cheese factory, where he worked very hard. He loved his collie dog, which he had as a companion for 12 years, named Prince. At 13 years old, his mother presented him with a brand new Ford Model T. Ed served in the Civilian Conservation Corps as a mess sergeant, after graduating from the U.S. Army cooking school. He was a member of the boxing team as an accomplished welterweight. Edward married the former Madelyn Durse in 1939 in Frankfort, NY. Not only were they a married couple, but they were actually friends for 69 years. In 1957, he graduated from advanced courses in New York State fire training. He was a member of the Oriskany Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as secretary for many, many years. He also was an avid bowler, bowling for many, many years for Rome Manufacturing, where he once bowled a 667 series. He also served as secretary of the league for numerous years. Edward served as an usher at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, where he was also a member. More recently he served as an officer of his homeowner's association in Florida. In 1975, Edward retired after working for 35 years at Rome Manufacturing, a division of Revere Copper & Brass. Upon retiring, he and his wife, Madelyn of 67 years toured Italy. Edward became an avid golfer upon retirement. He pursued the sport with a rare enthusiasm and passion, to the point where he and his fellow retirees played in the snow with colored balls. On any morning you could find him on the golf course at Oriskany Hills. Playing solitaire and chess were also his favorite pastimes. Survivors include his wife: Madelyn of Oriskany; nine children and their families: Mary Ann LaManque and husband, John of Jupiter, Florida and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, their children, John, Edward, Mary Michele Tolson and Aaron; Frances Chevrette and husband, Joseph of Hartford, CT, their children, Joseph, Patricia and Maria; Edwina Cannistra of Rome NY and children, John Vincent, Edward and Joseph; Vincent Rella of Durhamville and children, Vincent and Victoria; Accountant for Oneida County Joseph Rella and wife, Joanne of New Hartford, NY and their children, Joseph and Jeanine Frank; Roberta Keller and husband, Mathew of Lee Center, NY and their children, Mathew, Adam and Marissa; Damian Rella of Oriskany, NY and West Palm Beach, FL and their children, Damian and Bernadette; Attorney Gerarda Rella Ankier and husband, Ralph of Mahopac, NY and their children, Alexander, Zachery and Taylor; Michelle Rella Fergie and husband, David of Mahopac, NY and their children, Ian and Kyle. He is also survived by two brothers, Anthony Rella and wife, Margaret of Frankfort, NY, and Dominick Rella of Miramar, Florida. He was predeceased by his stepbrother, Joseph Bertuca of Endicott, NY. Also surviving are 19 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The Rella family will receive relatives and friends at Heintz Funeral Service, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 from 2-4, 6-8 p.m. His funeral will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28 from the chapel of Heintz Funeral Service, Utica, where prayer will be offered and at 11 a.m. in St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Oriskany, with Father Walter Cannan celebrating his Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment will be held in Calvary Cemetery, Utica. The family is being served by the Enea Family Funeral Home, Main Street between Frankfort & Ilion, (894-8000), Daniel J. Enea, funeral director.