Wednesday, February 20, 2019
I had the honor of knowing Mr. Wilensky for as long as I can remember. As a child, my family and I would attend the towns many parades. One of my earliest memories from the age of 5 is watching Mr. and Mrs. Wilensky traveling down the parade route in a convertible smiling and waving at the crowd. Mr. Wilensky stretched his arms out to my father and before I knew it I was thrust into the convertible with the Wilenskys. I couldn't believe it! I was joining the parade sitting on Ed's lap and waving to the crowd just like a movie star! I was so excited and proud and from that moment on I looked to Mr. Wilensky as my first non familial role model.
Mr. Wilensky and I became co-workers about 20 years ago at Wolcott View Manor, he as a patient advocate and me as a nurse. Ed immediately took me under his wing as he knew it was imperative for Wolcott View Manor that I gain a connection with the people of the community. Ed's never ending positive attitude was contagious and I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. Ed was full of enthusiasm for the towns people and businesses. Ed was truly talented on communication as he would intently listen to each individual he met never forgetting a detail, find commonalities between these individuals and then arrange a way to connect them initiating a common bond, thus strengthening the community. Ed knew that the core to a communities success was people helping people. He took a genuine interest in others and encouraged them to do the same defining "Pay it Forward" long before it became a trend. These qualities lead Ed to flourish as Wolcott View Manor's patient advocate. It was second nature for Ed to listen to others and find a way to meet there needs. Being a patient advocate wasn't a job for Ed, it was a way of life.
Mr. Wilensky always presented himself with class and undeniable style. My younger brother, Ken, looked forward daily to seeing Ed's snazzy outfits, always paying him a sincere compliment. They formed a unique bond as Ken had admiration and respect for Ed and Ed took pride in giving a young man fatherly advice. Ed even gave Ken his old golf clubs and encouraged him to get out there and learn the game explaining that a lot of "connections" are made on the course.
As part of his shining charisma ,Ed was also quite the jokester. A fond memory is Ed telling Ken, " You know Kenny, your the best looking Cleary out of the bunch. You should be a model." Ken replied, " Oh ya, what should I model?" Ed then delivered his hilarious burn and stated was all seriousness, "shoes!" We all burst into laughter and enjoyed that story for many years.
My favorite tips from Ed are : if you ever have to go to a meeting and look professional always stick with black and white , it's sharp. And: Always walk down the center of the hallway, never walk to one side. It presents an allure of authority. Ed's little tips confirmed that he took a genuine interest in us and truly wanted us to succeed. We were blessed to be recipients of Ed's wisdom, even though he was a Yankees fan.
Ed inquired about the name I intended for my second child. I responded "James Edward. " His face lite up with excitement , "After me? We shall call him little Eddie, just don't tell Terry." he declared. I nearly fell off of my chair with laughter and sure enough he held true to his words. Every time Ed inquired about my son he referred to him as "little Eddy" with a twinkle in his eyes. It wasn't just the fun natured content of Ed's words, it was his gifted delivery. His tone and facial expressions were always straight on and he would draw you in because you could sense his excitement about his upcoming jost. Ed was entertaining himself as much as he was entertaining us.
The community of Wolcott was blessed to have such a dedicated member and leader. You set an excellent example to the people of Wolcott and I am sure all who knew you feel a sense of personal loss with your passing. In remembrance of you I will continue to maintain Wolcott View Manor as a part of Wolcott's community by advocating for all who come my way.
Love,
Meghan Cleary
