Edward R. Veto, 94, died Friday at Westfield Gardens. Born in Springfield, son of the late Ralph and Adele (Fish) Veto, he spent most of his life in West Springfield and Agawam.  He attended Springfield schools, Technical High School, was a 1942 graduate of West Springfield High School and attended American International College. As a freshman, he was an outstanding football player under Coach William Moge and was known as a one man gang.  He was awarded a scholarship by the Western Massachusetts Writer's Association in 1942. Ed was All Western Mass athlete many times in baseball, football and hockey and was active in many sports, coaching youth baseball, basketball, soccer and hockey.  He was a cub scout leader at First Congregational Church of West Springfield. He played baseball in the Red Sox Farm system as a top notch pitcher, and with many local organizations in hockey, basketball, football, bowling, golf and played pro-football for the Hartford Pros. Ed was an army veteran of World War II, serving with the 96 ^th Signal Battalion in Africa, China, Burma and India.  Sergeant Veto left the service in 1945.  He was employed at Smith & Wesson for three years, then was employed at the former Kidder Stacy Company for thirty-six years, retiring in 1987 having served as a supervisor of the machine shop, maintenance and the assembly department.  He was a member of the Mt. Orthodox Lodge of Masons, the West Springfield-Agawam Lodge of Elks # 2174, the American Legion Post 185 and the China-Burma-India Veterans Association. Ed was also a member of the West Side Tappers, a local dance troupe, directed by his wife, Marie Stevens Veto, a member of the Agawam Senior Center, the Golden Age Club Chapter 1 and 2, the West Springfield Senior Center and a member of the Golden Blue Ribbon Singers. His first wife of forty-five years, Pauline Jacobson died in 1990.  He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife, companion, friend and teacher, Marie (Buck) Stevens Veto in 2015. He leaves a son, Edward A. Veto of West Springfield, a daughter, Carol Ann Kahrman of Titusville, FL, a brother, Marvin C. Veto of North Carolina, four grandchildren and several great-granddaughters. He was predeceased by a sister, Mildred Wender. The funeral will be Thursday at 12 pm at the Agawam Curran-Jones Funeral Home, 745 Cooper Street with burial in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Calling hours will be held prior to the funeral from 11 am to 12 pm. Donations may be made to the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center at 627 Cottage Street. Springfield, MA 01104.