Edward C. Hosty ’96

Ed came to us from River Forest, Ill., where he was one of three generations of proud Fenwick Friars.

A member of the last freshman football team, Ed’s athleticism was always clear. Four years later, bookending the BEAST offensive line at tight end, he blocked rushers, moved defenders, and plowed tacklers, playing an integral part in the Tigers’ Ivy League Championship season. Ever the athlete, he played a year of JV basketball just to prove he could. From his first days on campus, his booming voice and enormous smile were omnipresent in Forbes. By the time he moved into Patton, his friends knew that he would always be there to lend a hand no matter the challenge. A warm and welcoming presence at DEC, Ed could be counted on to arrive early to program the jukebox, often for the entire night. His time living in Dial Lodge honored the spirit of those who had graced those halls before him.

His thesis about the 1980 U.S. grain embargo reflected how much he loved the study of economics.

After graduation, Ed returned to Chicago, the city he loved. There, he met the woman he loved. Together, Laura and Ed raised three boys who were his pride and joy. They are his greatest legacy.

Ed died Oct. 25, 2024, after a battle with cancer. The class extends its condolences to Laura, EJ, Frankie, Will, and all of Ed’s family and friends.

Wealthy in all the ways that matter and wise in all the ways that can’t be taught, Ed lived a life we all should envy. Hundreds packed St. Luke’s Church to celebrate a life lived to the fullest. The pipes played, songs were sung, stories told, and glasses were raised as befitting this beloved classmate.