By MATT CHANDLER
Buffalo Law Journal

Longtime Buffalo Law Journal research assistant Edward Chrzanowski passed away May 4 in Eastern Niagara Hospital, Lockport. He was 80.

Born in Philadelphia on July 20, 1929, Chrzanowski grew up in an area of the city known as Port Richmond. It would later become the inspiration for his first book, "The Dead End Kids of Port Richmond Philadelphia: A Memoir," published in 2002.

He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., as well as a master's degree in English. An ordained priest, he earned his master's degree in theology from Notre Dame University and served in the priesthood until 1977 before leaving to embark on a career as a writer and educator.

He worked for The Buffalo News, The Niagara Gazette and, most recently, The Buffalo Law Journal, where he served as research assistant. He compiled public record from Niagara County for the last 15 years.

In 2008, Chrzanowski published his second book, "Letters From a Lifer," which detailed his relationship with a murderer as seen through the written correspondence the two shared. The book has its roots in his work at the maximum-security Attica Correctional Facility, where he befriended convicted killer Danny Edwards. Chrzanowski sat down with the Buffalo Law Journal in 2008 to discuss the book and what inspired him to tell the tale of a convicted murderer who himself was stabbed to death in prison in 1996. At the time, he said he had no qualms about his friendship with a man who committed multiple murders.

"I looked upon him as a very articulate, friendly kind of guy who loved (the University of) Notre Dame, who loved the Buffalo Bills," Chrzanowski said. "I knew he was bright, a good writer, and I saw him as a normal, natural friend."

He self-published the book with help from his wife, Shirley. He suffered a stroke part way through the process but said he was determined to complete the project. He said at the time that he viewed the book as a chance to make a difference in the life of a man he had come to know well.

"He is a human being, and nobody is beyond redemption," Chrzanowski said. "I just felt he was reaching out to me for help, and I was able to give it to him."

Chrzanowski is survived by his wife of 30 years, Shirley (Mahar) Chrzanowski; his brother-in-law Edward (Lois) Mahar; sisters-in-law Mary Gephart, Sally Mahar and Ann Chrzanowski; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Joseph, Stanley and Walter Chrzanowski.

Ed was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He had served as a volunteer with Meals-On-Wheels and enjoyed reading, playing cards and bowling.

His book "Letters From a Lifer" is available on amazon.com.