In January of last year, we lost a long-time activist and friend, Ed Naile. Ed inspired many as both the Chairman of the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers and a contributor to these pages.
Below is Skip’s original post announcing Ed’s passing as well as some of the comments below.
You can read Ed’s ‘Grok archive here.
Announcement – Long Time CNHT Chairman Ed Naile Has Passed
by Skip / 25 January 2022
“Just so you know, Ed passed on Friday. So sad – what a great man…” That from a friend today.
From a couple of days ago: Evidently he has been in ICU in Concord Hospital for some time now. At least a month, I think. Covid, then a blood clot which caused a heart attack.I called the hospital today and he is still in ICU and no visitors.
I considered him one of my mentors as Doug and I started up GraniteGrok. I learned so much from him and realized how skilled he was in his Activism and how free he was to share the skill with anyone that wanted to hear and then apply it. He made the CNHT (Coalition of NH Taxpayers) space available to us as we started GrokTALK! as a weekly podcast, we and he combined forces on a number of different issues.
He was a man that stood on principles that right was right and wrong was wrong. Fearless and took GREAT joy at beating those that thought that they were “all that and more” whether they were municipal officers and tax fraud to voter fraud.Did I mention that he was smart?
He made CNHT live up to one of the US Marine’s mantras: “No better friend; no worse enemy.”He enjoyed his activism and loved it when he won (which he did most of the time), especially in court. He once told me that when he entered the court, the other lawyer’s shoulders slumped. They knew that he knew more about the law than they did – and he was doing it for sport.
COMMENTS
I am devastated to learn that Ed has passed. He was a mentor, an inspiration and the most extraordinary raconteur I have ever known. His loss is inestimable. I always imagined him having a horrific chainsaw accident but he was too adept for that. Our most heartfelt condolences to his family and innumerable friends and admirers. He was truly one of a kind. The world has suddenly gone grey. You left a great legacy of advocacy, Ed, and tireless effort. Thank you and God bless.
I never met him, and yet, from the very first time I read one of his posts on Granite Grok, I felt I knew him.
Omg, I’m shocked. Just inconceivable. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. NH has lost a treasure. I hope and pray he’s looking down and guiding one or more of us to continue on the great things he has done for us all. He can never be replaced but we can do him proud.
For at least three decades, Ed was there freely giving his time to share his tools of the trade to budding activists, to fight entrenched and unresponsive local officials, to bring too-cozy abuses of local taxpayer interest to light.NH ought to have an Ed Naile day.
I’m speechless. Ed and I had a long back and forth here one time about the blue jays and feeding birds.What were seeing, what we were feeding them.It was nice to get off politics for a bit and just talk about regular things.What a loss. Skip and Steve and fellow Groksters, I’m sorry that you lost your good friend. What a terrible loss for our state.
May he rest in peace
I am devastated! Ed and I had quite a few conversations on and off line since I met him 4 years ago when I was running for state rep. He was a great man with a passion for fair elections in NH,which was one of my passions as well when I was living in NH.I have no other words…heartfelt condolences to all his friends and family. NH lost a great pariot.
I REMEMBER MEETING HIM REGARDING VOTER FRAUD. OH MY GOSH! I LEARNT ALOT FROM THIS MAN! VERY INFORMATIVE & INTERESTING!!!
So sad to hear this. Rest in peace Ed!
Don’t have much to add beyond prayers for the family and I will miss his articles here. I had a few conversations about chainsaws with him but that was about it.
RIP Ed, your common sense & sound reasoning will be missed!
Ed and I had lunch last summer before I moved out of NH. Such a great guy. We collaborated on many projects and investigations. When I was on my town’s Budget Committee, he gave me hours and hours of advice & instruction. Later when I moved to Supervisor of the Checklist, he again gave me tons of time and assistance. Such a selfless guy that wanted good government – he was ok with the results if the process was fair and accurate. If we don’t like the results, we just work harder next time. I already missed our occasional get-togethers, and now I will cherish the memory of the last one. RIP, Ed. You did good.
This is horrible news. Ed helped and taught so many people about election law. He will be missed by so many. 🙁
Kathleen LaBonte: OMG! I just found out with an announcement from Scott Maltzie in the Merrimack County GOP weekly update. I’m DEVASTATED, and the wind has been knocked right out of my sail. Oh do I adore that man, and no one made me laugh harder than to listen to his escapades. My favorite and treasured times with Ed would be helping to set up and take down the annual July CNHT picnic event…and, of course, to help with anything they needed during the event to keep things smooth running. I would be one of the last ones cleaning up so that I could sit and have a little catch up private time with Ed before we bid adieu. I will treasure always those events and that special time with Ed.I’m greatly saddened that I did not know he was in the hospital all that time.😭 My head and heart aches for all that I do not know right now of what is happening to people I love. My sincere prayers and deepest sympathy to Ed’s family and all his dear friends….so many of them I know. May Ed be at peace, and resting in God’s hands.
I only met Ed once, but followed him on GG. Our state, and our country has lost one of our staunchest advocates for voter integrity and honest elections.
