Hit-And-Run Victim Was 'Most Proud' Of Being A Dad, Husband: Obit

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — For Edward Rao, nothing was more important than family.

Rao, 54, was the victim of a hit-and-run crash that occurred in the village last week will be remembered Tuesday. He grew up in Ridgewood and was a member of the High School class of 1982.

"There was nothing more important to him than his family, being a husband and a father was what he was most proud of in life," his obituary stated.

Rao lived in Hawthorne for more than 30 years in a house he built himself, his obituary stated.

He owned many businesses in the Ridgewood area, including Rao Landscaping, Arctic Plowing, and Country Bagel and Muffin. He was a Ridgewood-based real estate agent for more than 30 years.

Rao "took great pride and joy in making it his mission to find his clients the place they could call home."

Rao was a Yankees fan, full of life, and had an unmatched sense of humor, his obituary stated. He was "the best storyteller. Once he'd start with a story, people would be hooked listening and he enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed listening.

"He positively impacted every life he touched and everyone who met him couldn’t help but to love him. He will be missed but never forgotten. We will carry him on in our hearts and his memory will live on."

He was predeceased by his mother, Patricia.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; children Rachel, Edward, Veronica, and Vincent; grandson, Anthony; brother Vincent; sister-in-law, Andrea; and nieces Sabrina, Tiffany, Isabella, and Hartley.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made to the New Jersey Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Rao was hit in Ridgewood Monday night at about 7:20 p.m. across the street from Puzo's Family Restaurant near Haruo Noor Salon, authorities previously said. He was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, but died of his injuries, they said. (See related: Arrest Made In Fatal Ridgewood Hit-And-Run: Prosecutor)

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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