Edward W. Krey, Chicago born and raised and a lifelong resident of the Northcenter/Lakeview neighborhoods, died at home surrounded by family on Nov. 25 after a battle with cancer. A U.S. Army veteran, he was born on Jan. 30, 1930 and served as a Chicago firefighter for 38 years. Ed graduated from Lake View High School, where he starred in several sports and received major college football scholarship offers. An often larger-than-life individual, he was known to family and friends as "Big Ed," though he stood barely over 6-feet tall. Big Ed is predeceased by his wife Irene "Sis" Krey, who died in May; his parents, Richard and Freda (Droese); brothers Richard, Hans and Raymond; and son Edward and daughter-in-law Sonya. He is survived by his son Michael (Donna); grandchildren Karl, Mackenzie, Katelyn, Emily and Tessa; and many nieces and nephews. For their extraordinary care and devotion, the family especially thanks Donna Rice and Myrna David. A remembrance service will be held at Cooney Funeral Home, 3918 W. Irving Park Road on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club or to the Chicago Fire Department's nonprofit fund, Ignite the Spirit (ignitethespirit.org).