Edward M. Cupoli

Edward M. Cupoli, PhD, age 72, a longtime resident of Guilderland, NY passed away peacefully at the Teresian House Nursing Home in Albany surrounded by his family. Born in Syracuse, NY, he is the son of the late Anthony and Nina Cupoli. Ed is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sharon L. Cupoli; brother, Richard R. Cupoli Syracuse, NY; brothers-in-law, Andrew F. Hmiel (Karen) Glenside PA, Daniel J. Hmiel (Sandy) Liverpool, NY, Gregory L. Hmiel Syracuse, NY and sisters-in-law, Deborah L. Hmiel, Deborah J. Bowers Hmiel and Rosemarie Hmiel Syracuse, NY; Uncle, David G. Hmiel (Christine Knowles) Hood River, OR. Ed is also survived by his nieces, Michelle L. Cupoli, Tina Marie Stewart (Matthew), Sherry L. Hmiel; nephews, Antonio R. Cupoli (Christina), Michael A. Cupoli, Abraham L. Hmiel, Benjamin I. Hmiel; great niece, Natalie Stewart, great nephews, Fred Bradshaw, Jason Cupoli Stewart, Cooper Stewart and several cousins. Ed was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Anthony L. and Patricia Dymkar Cupoli; sister-in-law, Roberta S. “Robin” Cupoli; brothers-in-law, Douglas E. and Michael D. Hmiel. Ed received his master’s and PhD from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public affairs and his BA in Mathematics from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. He was proud of his time at both schools and was always willing to give back his time, talent and resources to their respective students. Ed retired from the NYS Assembly Ways and Means committee where he was the Chief Economist and Director of Research. He felt Public Service was the place for him as he could give back to people and leave the world a better place whether it was working on legislation to end Spring Borrowing, creating the Deferred Compensation for state employees, or other public finance issues. “Ask Dr. Ed” was his mantra and if he did not have an answer for you, he could get one soon. He would remind everyone that “The only constant is change and the only variable is the rate of change.” Ed served as the Assembly’s member of the Board of Trustees for Cornell University, advisor and then member of the Deferred Compensation Board, member of the Board of Economic Advisors, committees to restore NYC after 9/11and Start-Up New York. After 23 legislative sessions, Ed left the Assembly to become the Head of the new Nanoeconomics Constellation at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at SUNY Albany. He developed the new curriculum, taught and advised master’s and PhD candidates. Ed had also taught economics at Michigan State University, The Rockefeller School of Public Affairs in Albany NY, The College of St. Rose in Albany NY and was guest lector at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy NY. When not working he could be found traveling with his wife to many parts of the US including Alaska and Hawaii, and overseas to Italy, Sicily, England, Wales, Slovakia, Hungary, China, Thailand, Greece, Wales, France, Canada and Mexico, Jamaica and the Caribbean. Spending time with family was so important to Ed. Having no children, his nieces and nephews and then great niece and great nephews were his focus. Uncle Eddie was the fun uncle who would play games, take you for rides, cheer you on at games, go for ice cream or just laugh with you. His great joy was seeing their accomplishments. Ed was a communicant of The Church of Christ the King in Westmere, NY. He was a founding member of the Christ the King’s Finance Committee where he served many years. Ed was a member of the 4th degree and 3rd degree Knights of Columbus at Christ the King serving as both Faithful Navigator and Grand Knight. Anytime the Knights had events Ed could be found helping. Ed was a man who could talk with anybody and was always there to help. He just wanted to leave the world a better place for all, especially the young. He leaves us with his huge smile and great laugh and a request to do for others. He also loved to wear crocs, the more colorful the better and loved to show them off. In his honor the family will be wearing crocs at the funeral and ask all who knew him to do the same. The family would like to thank the staff in Teresian House’s Carmel Gardens West. They provided such loving care to Ed during the advancement of his Alzheimer’s disease. A Funeral Service with be held at 9:00 am on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Pompei/St Peter Church, 301 Ash St, Syracuse, NY at 10:00 am. Interment will be in Assumption Cemetery Syracuse, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association or JDRF. A Memorial Mass will be held in Albany at The Church of Christ the King, 20 Sumter Ave Westmere, NY at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

Edward M. Cupoli

August 27, 1952 - November 16, 2024