As Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian knows well, Edward Greer was effective in getting things done.

Sometimes Greer would tackle the job himself, and sometimes when he needed help he’d start with a few simple requests that over time amounted to a significant undertaking. But it was always done, and it was always for the benefit of the community.

One of the largest benefactors of Greer’s attention was Pawtuxet Village.

That gift has been memorialized with the Ed Greer Memorial Garden that lies just off Narragansett Parkway at the entrance to Pawtuxet Park. The garden was dedicated Sunday followed by a reception at the Pawtuxet Rangers Armory. Greer was a member of the militia, and the Rangers also benefited from his energy and generosity.

The garden is the work of the Pawtuxet Village Association Garden Group, an organization that Greer helped found.

“We’ve done a lot, and a lot has to do with Ed,” Chris Hannifan of the Garden Group and mistress of the ceremonies said.

Avedisian also spoke of the changes to Pawtuxet, noting the improvements to the village center and the deeding of the Aspray Boathouse to the Gaspee Days Committee.

Of Greer, Avedisian said, “Bit by bit, he saw the vision.” The mayor said improvements came in “small amounts that he knew the whole community would benefit from.”

A graduate of Aldrich High School and Bryant College, Greer died May 31, 2014 at the age of 88. He was an optimist and activist who inspired many. He served as president of the Friends of the Warwick Senior Center, and in addition to the village association and Rangers was a member of the Pawtuxet River Authority and Watershed Council, Save the Bay, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Boy Scouts of America.

“I never saw him not smile,” said Col. Ronald Barnes, commanding officer of the Rangers. He said Greer made the models on display at the armory and devised a way of making it appear the canon was firing when used in parades.

Village association chair Susan Hartman noted that Greer had a way of asking that made it impossible to say no.

Warwick City Historian Henry A. Brown offered personal reflections of his friend. Brown said Greer’s “roots were firmly planted in the village.”

“Our park was formerly dedicated in 1978. At that time, Ed had a vision. He shared his vision with members of the Pawtuxet Village Association and Garden Club. Never a voice pontificating empty words or articulating platitudes, but a mover, a take-charge person with a team supporting the vision. He enlisted friends of the Pawtuxet Village Association via the Garden Committee to share his vision for a park that generations of families can enjoy ‘for all seasons.’ A park with an unobstructed view of the cove was first tackled,” said Brown.

The job required removing brush, trees and undergrowth. Brown described Greer in these terms: “Ed, the ‘ring master,’ arrived in his work truck with a cloud of blue smoke trailing from the tailpipe. Yes, and properly attired. Canvas gloves, long handle loppers, axe and bow, saw in hand, chainsaw ready, and perched upon his head a white hardhat. His pants were supported with red suspenders.”

It was the same persistent Greer that state Rep. Joseph McNamara described in telling the story of the removal of a huge industrial spool from the Pawtuxet River. When state officials wouldn’t tackle the job, Greer set about doing it and, of course, recruited McNamara and others to help. Hunter’s Garage came to the rescue with a tow truck to complete the job.

Brown best summed up all Greer has meant to the village: “Ed Greer has plowed a furrow, a bright light leading the way. Seeds of friendship have been planted – a garden of peace and a garden of beauty for all generations yet unborn has been dug out of this flinty soil of the Aspray Boat Yard.”