John Edward “Ed” Backus — a lifelong Westport resident, Staples High School Football Wall of Fame member, noted youth coach, Marine Corps Honor Guard member for 2 presidents, YMCA board member, and well-known neighbor and friend — died peacefully on Sunday at Norwalk Hospital, surrounded by his 2 sons. He was 94.
At Staples, Ed was a multi-talented athlete. A 2-time All-Conference football player, he was inducted into the Football Wall of Fame in 2003.
His athletic achievements continued at the University of Bridgeport, where he was a standout on the first-ever football team, formed in 1948.
He anchored the semi-pro Westport Advertisers’ offensive line from 1949 to 1951, serving as co-captain in 1951 before the team dissolved due to the Korean War. During this time, he also worked as a Compo Beach lifeguard.
In 1952, Ed enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He served with the Presidential Honor Guard for Presidents Truman and Eisenhower in Washington.
His love for sports endured throughout his life, whether playing football, basketball, softball, squash, or racquetball; lifting or skeet shooting, or cheering on his sons and grandchildren’s various teams.
He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys.
Ed Backus
Ed coached Westport Police Athletic League football teams for 10 years. In 1989 he was honored with the Sportsmen of Westport Achievement Award.
He also served as a board director and first vice president of the Westport YMCA, and was a member of its building committee.
Professionally, Ed worked for magazines including Seventeen, Popular Science, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life, from which he retired as advertising director in 1995.
He then worked as a consultant for many years.
In retirement, Ed cherished weekly breakfast gatherings at Jr’s Deli & Grille. with friends Charlie Duffy, Mike Zeoli, Joe Saponare, Jerry Waldron, Pete Johnson and others. He shared quality time at the barbershop with his longtime friend Bill Gault.
Ed was married to Carole Mailand, who died in 1992. They raised 2 sons: John Edward Backus, Jr, (Jeb) of Westport, and Jared of Ithaca, New York. Ed is also survived by five grandchildren John Edward Backus III (Tripp), Jillian Elizabeth-Anne, Garrett Edward, Grace Carole; and Gavin; his daughter-in-law Amanda Backus, and long-time sweetheart, Mary Snyder.
Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral on Tuesday November 26 (Assumption Church, 10:30 a.m.). Click here to leave online condolences.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Westport Police Athletic League (c/o Corporal Craig Bergamo, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880), or the Lupus Foundation of America in Ed’s memory.
