The team at Autobody News was heartbroken to learn our longtime writer and friend Ed Attanasio passed away July 18, 2023.
Ed wrote for our publication since 2009, and over the years he covered a wide range of industry topics while always keeping a keen eye for the stories that highlighted the human element, particularly in his long-running Day Job/Night Job series.
“He [loved] all the people in this industry,” said Barbara Davies, co-owner and CEO of Autobody News. “It didn’t matter if he was interviewing the CEO of a major manufacturing company or the tech intern at a body shop. He gave everyone the same level of respect and importance, which came through in all his articles.
“The industry has lost someone very special that touched many lives.”
Ed was a lot more than a journalist, however. He was a baseball historian, stand-up comedian and an animal lover, which he combined with one of his other many interests---art---to create the Pandemic Pet Project. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ed drew hundreds of people’s pets as sketches on Post-It notes, asking in return only a donation to a local animal shelter. His favorite rescue was Muttville in San Francisco, which specializes in finding homes for senior dogs.
“Ed was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met,” Davies said. “He would always put the spotlight on others and never himself. He had a heart of gold.”
She shared a story about how Attanasio had been to most U.S. ballparks, but never Petco Park in San Diego, CA. As she lives in the San Diego area, Davies invited him to travel from San Francisco a few years ago to catch a game at the stadium.
“He was like a kid in a candy store,” Davies recalled. “His passion for baseball came through just as strongly as his passion for our industry.”
Our deepest condolences go out to Ed's family and friends.
Consider making a donation in Ed’s memory at muttville.org/donate.
Abby Andrews