Edward Brian Witkowski, 53, of Villa Grove, CO passed away on April 24, 2022. He leaves behind many loved ones but most importantly he leaves behind his daughter Breanna Witkowski, her significant other, Brandon Sargis and his beautiful grandson, Riley. Ed was born in Burlington, CT to parents, Casimir Witkowski and Betty Mae Witkowski (who predeceased Ed in life by just a few months in December 2021), a sister Brenda Lapierre, her husband Nick and three lovely nieces. He also leaves his cousin and closest friends, June and Erik Wasel, and his Uncle, Richard Dyer; as well as his close and trusted friend, Breanna’s mother, Betsy Witkowski.  Also left behind are his very close friends, brother in law Wayne Mackiewicz and his wife Dyann Mackiewicz, along with his many Aunts, Uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends (people and animals alike which included many dogs, like the six German Shepherds where he currently lived). He loved them all from his tight knit group of high school friends that he still kept in touch with, to his more recently made friends and his Colorado “family” at the San Luis Valley Campground in Villa Grove, CO.  Lastly, he leaves Lexi, his trusted canine companion of the nine years. Lexi went everywhere and did everything with Ed; and after a long cross country trek she is now at her new home in Connecticut with his daughter, Breanna.
Ed graduated from Goodwin Technical School in New Britain, CT and Porter and Chester Technical College where he became certified in plumbing electrical. He did some metal work, then focused on plumbing and heating where he loved boiler work especially.  Later he would work for himself doing commercial landscape and snow removable. Out of high school he enlisted in the CT National Guard where he served providing security detail. He was proud to have served his country like his father, grandfather and several uncles.  He also served his community as a volunteer fireman in both, Burlington, CT and then in Villa Grove, CO. He was inspired to volunteer in the fire department after going on a fire call with his Uncle Dicky as a child. When Ed wasn’t serving his country or community, he was assisting his neighbors by doing odd jobs, using his trade craft fixing things that needed attention. Ed lived in an area where people still wait weeks for a service company to come out to their remote village in the mountains, so Ed’s handy work was a welcomed addition to the local area. There he would learn about ranching, how to ride horseback and eventually fall in love with working cattle on horseback no matter the extreme climate conditions. 
Ed was quick to befriend most anyone and nearly all he met became friends, some for a moment and others for a lifetime. What made it easy was Ed! It was his quick wit, great sense of humor, his infectious laughter, and always wanting to have a good, fun time.  Ed, could pull a joke out for any situation and quickly have the room laughing with him, the number of jokes he knew was endless, as was his extensive knowledge and trivia of movies, he could recite famous quotes from nearly every movie title you could name, and his impersonations would always be spot on! If he could make you laugh, then you made his day just a little bit brighter.  Ed also really loved the great outdoors and all that they could offer a sportsman, he especially loved fishing and hunting. Hunting season at the campground was his favorite. He would talk often about his fond memories of sharing a good rib-eye steak with fellow hunters, sharing stories of the Elk that was brought back with them or even better were the stories of the giant ones that got away.  He also enjoyed backpacking in the high desert mountains with Lexi by his side. In every aspect of Ed’s life, his gift of gab was evident, no quick hello’s here, he could talk to you for hours.  He especially enjoyed talking with old friends and reminiscing about years past, about being a proud grandpa, his adventures with Lexi and just about anything else on his mind!
When Ed left for Colorado we knew that after growing up on Lake Garda in woodsy Burlington, CT that the allure of the glorious Southern Rockies would keep him there, and that they did. They stole his heart landing him there in the tiny village of Villa Grove, CO where he would fall in love with his surroundings and live the rest of his life.  
A memorial will take place at a later date to be determined and will be shared via social media.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made Fidelco Guide Dog at Fidelco.org.