NORTH ROBINSON — The rain could not stop people from coming out to the cabin at Colonel Crawford to honor the memory of Ed Speece, who passed away Aug. 1.
Speece was a part of the “Cabin Crew” which was in charge of the relocation of the old Hoover cabin, the blacksmith shop, and brick oven on the school’s property, to be used for educational purposes for the school and those in the county.
A memorial dinner was hosted at the cabin because of Speece’s involvement with the project, but also because he would normally host a party on National Night Out at his house, and friends and family wanted to continue his tradition.
“Ed always had National Night Out at his house, and he would always invite the sheriff’s departments, the firemen and friends.” Gerri Ujvari said.
“I had an idea, and I called a friend and asked if we could have it up at the cabin and the Cabin Crew guys can host it,” she added. “The people here are all people he would have had at his home, because he always had a slew of people. It’s to honor National Night Out and it is also to honor Ed Speece.”
Many people at the event agreed Ed was quite the character, but he was still a good man with a big heart. Ujvari said he would do anything for his friends, church, Lord, neighbors and anyone else who needed help.
Ted Bruner said Speece came to be a part of the Cabin Crew when he was told to call him and see if he wanted to help with the process of rebuilding the cabin, and from then on out he helped with all that he could.
The evening began with a toast of Pepsi in his honor, like he said he wanted, and ended with lots of laughs, tears, and memories shared of Ed over the years.
Ed Speece is greatly missed by his fellow Cabin Crew members and friends around the community.