Edward Stanton Redstone

The Redstone family, extended family and friends are shocked and bereaved by the sudden passing of beloved Rancho Mirage philanthropist, Edward S. Redstone, in the early hours of December 23, 2011.

A son of New England, Edward Redstone lived the majority of his life in Massachusetts.  He graduated from  Colgate  University and Harvard University School of Business.  He was a partner with his brother, Sumner Redstone, in the family movie theater business, National Amusements, Inc., before turning to a new career in banking. He was the chairman of the Martha’s Vineyard National Bank and First Bank Corp. in Lowell, MA.  For more than two decades, he owned and operated four successful banks in Massachusetts.

His crusty “New Englander” persona belied a heart of gold and an empathic nature.  Becoming a philanthropist was a natural evolution for him.  In Boston, he was involved with the Jimmy Fund created by his father, Michael (Mickey) Redstone.  He was a member of Temple Israel in Brookline, MA.  He headed the transition team from Governor Edward King to Governor Michael Dukakis.  He was on the Board of Variety Clubs of America.  He was a leader in Lowell, MA redevelopment to preserve its historic place in American history.

Once Eddie Redstone moved to Rancho Mirage, he continued his good works, immersing himself in the world of philanthropy in the Coachella Valley along with his inspiring wife, Madeline Redstone.

Edward Redstone generously donated money and his time to many local charities and served on numerous Boards of Directors including: The Eisenhower Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Eisenhower Board of Directors; The Stroke Center Board of Directors; The Betty Ford Center (where his wife, Madeline, is on the Betty Ford Center Board of Trustees); The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center; The McCallum Theater Founders, and many others.  He belonged to Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage as well as Alpine Country Club in Demarest, New Jersey.

He is survived by his devoted wife of twenty-two years, Madeline Redstone, and his brother, Sumner M. Redstone.

He is also survived by his loving children: Steven and Michele Sweetwood; Lawrence and Jennifer Sweetwood; Howard and Jennifer Sweetwood; and Michael Redstone.  He was the adored and treasured grandfather of Amanda, Melissa, John, Theodore, Sydney and Maxwell Sweetwood and Jesse, Alex, and Emily Redstone.He is survived by his brother Sumner  Redstone  and his family.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Leila Redstone; his daughter, Ruth Ann Redstone; and his beloved grandson, Gabriel Adam Redstone in whose memory a pond is dedicated on the grounds of the Eisenhower Medical Center campus in Rancho Mirage.

Edward Redstone’s community of friends was far-reaching and all considered him invaluable and irreplaceable.  His advice was legion and deep and always right on the mark.  Eddie was a man of moral strength and courage who scaled insurmountable obstacles many times in his full life.  May the memories of his honesty and generosity continue to be a comfort to all whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please send any donations to The Betty Ford Center Foundation: 39000 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270.

Services will be held at The Brezniak-Rodman Chapel , 1251 Washington St. ( Corner of Chestnut St.) West Newton on Thursday  December  29, 2011 at  10:00 am

Interment will follow  at  Temple Israel Cemetery, Wakefield

There will be a memorial service to celebrate the life of Edward Stanton Redstone on January 19, 2012 at 4 PM at Tamarisk Country Club.