Eddy went to be with our Lord on December 25th, 2014. He was born in Helena, Mt. on November 15th, 1947 to Charles Tovey and Roberta (Waldvogel) Longmire. He was preceded in death by his mother and father.
He is survived by his wife and soul mate Lillian (Velarde) Tovey. They were blessed to spend the last 18 ½ years together. Also, his siblings: Charlotte Allison (Helena), Charles “Bill” Tovey (Helena), Timothy Longmire (Helena) and Kevin (Alice) Longmire (Helena), his daughters: Jamie Owens of Oklahoma, Susi (Kevin) Charboneau of Oklahoma and son Edward “Jason” Sahinen of Butte, three stepchildren Christy Bissell (Rob) of Helena, Joshua Bissell of Helena and Samantha Cook (Adam) of Nevada. He has 8 wonderful grandchildren: Terry & Josephine Owens and Maya Charboneau of Oklahoma, Keltic Bissell of Montana and Lexajordin, Eav, Emry & Damon Valdez of Nevada, his Aunt Dolly Gleed (Helena) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Eddy lived his life to its fullest, always in search of new adventures. His passions in life were Wildfire fighting, rattlesnakes and catching any animal willing to be caught including a badger a bear & an alligator. He had faithful pets: owls, roosters, dogs and cats. He was known as the “Beanie Baby Man” by local second hand stores, having collected thousands of them.
He was known across the country as a dedicated Wildland Firefighter. It was a job he loved. He began his career on the Sleeping Child Fire, Bitterroot NF, in 1961 and his last fire was the Sawtooth Fire by Hamilton, Mt. in September of 2012. There wasn’t a fire he went to without making new friends to add to his firefighting family. New tales to tell of lightning strikes and 30 foot flames would light up his eyes.
He loved the outdoors. Camping, hunting and fishing filled many of his days and he found a partner in these adventures when he found Lilly. He loved his family and knew he was blessed by the friends in his life.
He was taken from us too soon, complications from a surgery shortened his time with us. He knew that GOD was calling him home, but as he often did, he argued and fought with every ounce of strength he had to stay as long as he could.
We would like to thank all the wonderful people who allowed us to utilize them as Caregivers so that Ed could be at home: Yvonne Velarde, Christy Bissell, Terry & Judy Will, James & Kathy Stevens, Erv & Patty Hotz, Brent Bucy, Travis Terry, Stephan Velarde, Charlotte Allison, Kevin Longmire, Josh Longmire, Tim Longmire, Joshua Bissell, Keith & Patsy Goble and Leah Howry. You were all a shining light to Eddy.
A memorial service celebrating Ed’s life will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the First Assembly of God Church, 2210 Dodge Avenue A reception will be held at the church immediately following the memorial service.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Eddy.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 31, 2014
First Assembly of God Church
2210 Dodge Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately following the Memorial Service
Wednesday December 31, 2014
Gymnasium at the First Assembly of God Church
2210 Dodge Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 31, 2014
First Assembly of God Church
2210 Dodge Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Immediately following the Memorial Service
Wednesday December 31, 2014
Gymnasium at the First Assembly of God Church
2210 Dodge Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
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Jo Copeland says
Dear Lilly,
We will miss Ed. The stories that he shared of his crazy, amazing adventures were a joy to listen to…
We’re so very sorry that he’s gone, and yet, the hope of his eternal peace with Jesus, where there’s no more pain or sickness, gives us great joy in knowing that we’ll see him again.
Our hearts are with you in this great loss sister…
We love you dearly,
Mike & Jo Copeland
Stacy Carter says
I met Ed years ago when he fought fires with Curt Milledge and his crew. Ed was always a consummate professional and willing to share his knowledge with all fire fighters both young and old. He could be intense and extremely focused both admirable qualities in a wild land fire fighter. But I also knew Ed as being fun and loving in his connection with animals and his love of the hunt for his next Beanie Baby! Ed will be missed by Curt and me very much, but his memory will live on in the many stories that will be told and retold in the years to come. Deepest sympathies to you Lilly. Stacy Carter
Lynette Schmit says
Lilly and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayer are with you.
Take Care,
Lynette
Inez Slayman says
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you Lilly and all the rest of the family at this tough time. So sorry that this happened, please know we are thinking of you.
Carol Wylie says
Lilly and family,
So sorry for your loss. I loved listening to Ed’s stories and seeing the pictures he shared of his “critters”. I always looked forward to seeing him. He was a hard worker and never gave up! Blessings to you as you mourn his passing. God bless.
Kristen Summers says
Kevin longmire and family, I am so sorry for your loss, thinking about you all.
Lola and Dan Hagerty says
Dear Lilly, We are going to miss Ed. Cody thought the world of him and all his firefighting stories. He was one reason Cody became a firefighter. Dan thought he was a great brother-in-law and enjoyed all their conversations, they had a lot in common about life. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be blessed. Love you sister.
rosie kroll says
Eddy. The Kroll family, Rosie, Ernie, Beth, Martin and Kathy. He was a great Nephew, always pleasant, friendly, and always knew you. He was a great worker, His cousins will miss him.
Lilly, we are sorry for your loss, and will always remember Eddy . May he rest in Peace, and out of pain.
Richard E. Grady says
Our thoughts and prayers in the passing of Ed to his entire family. It was a pleasure to work with Ed over the years in his profession as a wildland firefighter with his extended qualifications and experiences that he shared with state and federal agencies, and those in the private sector.
His love for wildlife, hunting and enjoying the outdoors was always shared with many.
Diane Sharp says
Lilly, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time
bev guerin says
Tim and Kevin Longmire we are sorry for your loss, Fran Guerin would like to hear from you. is # 437-4018. our prayers are with you all Bev and Chuck Guerin.
Sylvia LaPier Belgarde says
My deepest sympathy to you and your family at this sad time.
Barb Baum says
Charlotte and Tovey Family: Eddie was our next door neighbor when we where kids and I think all of us remember the Chinese rooster that would fly over into our front field and spur whomever happened to be out there, oh the length of those spurs. The last time I saw him was as a teenager when he came to my aid and we had a nice visit. Prayer’s for your comfort and I know the memories will bring you joy.
Marv Kline says
Ed was a great person withs lots of knowledge. He is the only guy I know that could make a drip torch whistle, he always told me the more gas the better. Will miss you Ed from Marv & Cindy at Canyon Ferry Fire Suppression.
Kathy Stevens says
Jim and I feel your loss! Ed was a good friend of ours! Jim and Ed shared hunting stories, Lion hunts,and compared their take at the end of hunting season. Not to mention,firefighting from mid 60’s on to mid 70’s! Ed and Jim went Lion hunting in the 70’s. The snow was 3′ deep, wind covered the track! The Lion won! I was touched by how Ed would never miss thanking me for every little thing,when I sat with him while Lily was working! Jim and I miss him very much! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Lily and family!
Kathy Collins says
Lilly and Family,
Your beloved Ed will be missed by so many, but we rejoice that he is in heaven with his Heavenly Father and we will be with him someday. His heart was filled with love and I am grateful that he kept watch over my son, Bryan, when they fought fires together. Bryan learned a lot from Ed who was willing to share his wealth of firefighting knowledge with any crew member wanting to learn. Bryan chose to be on any fire crew Ed was leading.
I will miss his wonderful smile:) May you feel God’s love envelope you all. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Everhard says
Prayers and condolences in your loss of Eddy.
Sherry Morrow says
Lilly, I am so sad for your loss, Eddy will be missed by many, I have known Eddy for many years and i loved him like a brother, I am so glad he found you and had a great person to spend his life with.
Kathy Everhard says
Ok.. I will say this ole fart taught me, Maxine and Jannet Price how to snipe hunt…we girls were so intent on catching a snipe…we had our pillow cases and flash lights…..sneaking around with your dad and uncle shinning the light for us girls in the mountains….I will never forget that intense night! I will never forget the LOVE/HATE relationship the bunch of us had back in our Teen era..
Lillian Tovey- Bucy says
I want to thank everyone for the comfort these thoughts bring to me. It has been 4 years 2 months and 21 days since Eddy left my side. I miss him everyday.