Edward A. Flask—long-time Youngstown attorney, known to his most treasured circle as their darling "Poppi"—passed away peacefully on October 13, 2026, at the age of 84. He took his final breath at home, surrounded by his beloved family.

Born on November 4, 1941, Eddy was the son of former Youngstown Mayor Anthony B. Flask and Lena (Pecchio) Flask. He inherited an impeccably tailored sense of style from his mother and developed a lifelong respect for civic duty and leadership from his father. He was doubly blessed in his upbringing by his sister, Thomasine, thirteen years his senior, and her husband, Matthew DeCarlo, who was instrumental in fostering his lifelong love of baseball.

Eddy was unabashedly and pervasively Italian-American. He possessed the unique gift of steering nearly every conversation back to his heritage and roots. That pride was matched only by his generous heart; countless people—from lifelong friends to perfect strangers he simply read about in the newspaper—were recipients of his sincere, handwritten notes, inscribed in his distinctive and unmistakable script.

Eddy met his wife, Patricia (Cestone), at the Northside Pool when they were just fifteen years old. Their seventy years together was grounded in the family they built.

Eddy earned his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and received his Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. He founded and managed his own law practice in Youngstown for decades, The Law Firm of Flask & Policy. He served as Special Counsel to the Ohio Attorney General from 1968 to 1994, and acted as an attorney and mentor to local boxing champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. Heavily involved in the Mahoning County and Ohio Democratic Party, he was an ardent supporter of dozens of candidates for statewide office. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Youngstown State University by Governor Richard Celeste and served on numerous other local boards and commissions. Long after retiring from the courtroom, his analytical mind never ceased; his home den remained a command center where he devoured stacks of newspapers, continually intent on deciphering the state of the world.

Yet for all his professional endeavors, Eddy’s true life’s work was his family. Though raised in a traditional era, he had boundless pride in the academic and career achievements of his two daughters, Alicia and Maria. When they married, he embraced his sons-in-law, David and Anthony, as his own sons—both of whom remained deeply devoted to him until the end.

Above all titles, the role Eddy was born to play was that of grandfather. To his six grandchildren, he was not merely family; he was a titan. He was a constant source of love, presence, and laughter, whose voice and humor were so treasured that hundreds of voicemails from him were preserved like gold. Even in life's darkest hours, when the music seemed to stop, he kept dancing for them. In recent years, that immense love expanded once more to embrace his six great-grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, A.B. and Lena Flask; his cherished sister and brother-in-law, Thomasine and Matthew DeCarlo; his parents-in-law, Joseph and Ida Cestone; and his brother-in-law, Richard Pirain.

Eddy’s larger-than-life legacy lives on through his wife of six decades, Patricia Flask; his two daughters, Alicia (David) Kosec and Maria (Anthony) Calabrese; his six adoring grandchildren, Francesca (Matthew) Schiavone, Gia (Michael) DeFilippo, Edward (Chelsea) Kosec, Anthony (Mary) Kosec, Anthony Calabrese IV, and Ava Calabrese; and his six much-adored great-grandsons. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Joanne Pirain, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

He enters eternity reunited with Christ, his beloved relatives who passed before him, and the ancestors who came before them—which his family imagines has sparked endless conversation.

Family and friends may pay their respects to Edward on Monday, October 19, 2026 from 11:00 am until 12:10 pm at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St. Boardman.

There will be a prayer service at 12:15 pm on Monday at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 pm at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1125 Turin St., Youngstown, with the Very Rev. Msgr. John Zuraw J.C.L.,V.G. as celebrant.

Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Eddy’s memory to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1125 Turin St., Youngstown, Ohio 44510.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and share condolences with Edward’s family.