PORTLAND – Edward John Ochmanski, 77, formerly of South Portland, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, at Maine Medical Center in Portland. He was born Dec. 29, 1935, in Augusta, the son of the late Franciszek and Michalina Popwich Ochmanski.
Ed was a graduate of Cony High School in the class of 1953. After graduation he enlisted in the Maine Air National Guard as an Air Technician in the 243rd Unit at Fort Williams. His Air Guard service spanned 38 years until his retirement on Dec. 31, 1988, at the South Portland ANG Station. Federal military decorations awarded were Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon. His State of Maine ANG awards were the Adjutant General Award, Silver Star to the State of Maine Honorable Service Medal, State of Maine National Guard Ribbon for Active Duty Basic Training and State of Maine Perfect Attendance Medal and Bar.
In 1961 Ed married Jayne Diversi, formally of Waterville and resided in South Portland until shortly after her death in 2008. He was the loving, devoted and supportive father to Kimberly A. Cushing and his two grandchildren, Jessica Lynne and Mitchell David Cushing, as well as a beloved brother and uncle to the entire family.
Edward was better known in the Maine Sports community as “Eddie O” for his involvement as a football official, baseball umpire and timekeeper of high school basketball at South Portland High School and the Cumberland County Civic Center. He served on the State of Maine Football Board from 1959 to 2008 at all levels of the game from pee-wee to officiating 20 State Championships of which eight he was the Head Referee. His Maine baseball umpiring career began in 1963 in South Portland National Little League. In 1969 he joined the Western Maine Board of Baseball Umpires. He worked playoffs in Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion Ball as well as high school tournaments both class A and B. He was also a regular on the Collegiate Circuit. He served as President of the Western Maine Board and as the board Assignor. He was popular on the Twilight League and a favorite in the over 30 men’s league. He was an affiliate of the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame and served as the secretary. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005 for his over 25 years of umpiring.
Edward was predeceased by his wife, Jayne Diversi Ochmanski July 5, 2008; two sisters, Josephine Barry and Rose Sipowicz; and four brothers, Frank, Stanley, Louis, and Charles Ochmanski. He is survived by a daughter, Kimberly Cushing of Michigan; two grandchildren, Jessica Lynn Cushing, and Mitchell Cushing; three sisters, Emily Quinn of Stratham, N.H., Helen Atkinson of Bath, and Elizabeth and her husband, Richard Kidder, of Ocala, Fla.; along with many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held 5-7 p.m. Sunday, and 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Oct. 20, at Conroy-Tully Crawford, South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at the Chapel. Burial will be held graveside 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at New Maine Veterans Cemetery, Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Those who wish may make contributions in Edward’s memory to; Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, Scholarship Fund, care of Dan Douglas, P.O. Box 1062, Yarmouth, ME 04096. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com.
Edward John Ochmanski
