of Warwick, passed away on October 18, 2008 at his home. He was 86 years old. Born on June 11, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Julius and Helen (Frank) Klein. He was married to Phyllis (Bentzen) Klein for 61 years.
A World War II veteran, Klein served with the US Army primarily in North Africa, Italy and France. After the war, he and his brother Richard started a chain of newspapers including The Home News in Oakhurst, NJ. In 1962 he moved his family to Warwick when he bought The Warwick Advertiser. In 1969 he started WTBQ radio station and founded the Warwick Cable Company in 1972. After that last business was ultimately purchased by Westinghouse Broadcasting, he became editor and publisher for The Group W News and later added Warner Cable to his corporate newspaper publications.
In 1986, he founded the Hudson Valley Business Journal, which he published until 2000, when it was sold. During that time he also added publications including Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals to his company. Since his “retirement” from those papers, he was actively involved in publishing until his death. He was a featured columnist for both the Senior Gazette and The Hudson Valley Business Journal and created The Patriot, a newsletter for his beloved veterans of the Third Infantry Division.
He loved the Warwick community and received many awards, including “Man of the Year” from the Town of Greenwood Lake. In 1996 he published his entertaining autobiography “At Least Nobody’s Shooting at Me.” In September 2007, the Village and Town of Warwick and the County of Orange honored both Phyllis and Ed on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary with a special presentation at the Warwick Town Hall.
A family statement reads: “His passion for people, animals, his community and the country were obvious to everyone who knew him. He loved his family and friends and business associates who contributed so much to his life. He thoroughly enjoyed Broadway Shows, jazz, Big Band and Dixieland with this music providing the soundtrack for his life. His impact on the people of Warwick and the entire area will never be forgotten.”
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Warwick; his children: Pip (Julie Ann) Klein and her husband Robert Grawi of Florida, NY; Donald Klein and his wife Judi Mauck of Marina Del Ray, CA; and Claudia Jane Klein Piper and her husband George of Lake Worth, FL; his grandchildren: Nik Swanton of Baltimore, MD and Benjamin Julius Grawi of Florida, NY; great-grandchildren: Jesse Swanton and Matthew Swanton. He was predeceased by two brothers, both of New Jersey, Richard Klein and Lawrence Klein.
Visitation will be on Friday, October 24th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Warwick Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Warwick Humane Society which he was instrumental in founding with the late Gretchen Wyler.
