Edward “Ed” M. Bunio passed away on October 25, 2026, at the age of 85, after a long illness in Murfreesboro, TN.
Ed was born in Carnagie, Pennsylvania on April 24, 1941, to the late Anne Senko. After playing high school football in Carnagie, Ed signed to play football for the University of Arizona in Tucson. When the 1961 season ended, Ed left Arizona to play for the Austin Peay State University Governors in Clarksville, Tennessee. He played the next three seasons at APSU as an offensive and defensive lineman, and earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. Several years later, Ed returned to APSU to get his master’s degree and was hired as a defensive assistant and coordinator under Coach Jack Bushofsky.
When Boots Donnelly was named head coach at APSU, Ed remained as defensive coordinator, helping to lead APSU to its one and only OVC championship. When Boots left APSU for Middle Tennessee State University, Ed went with him as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach where he stayed until retirement after the 1994 season. During Ed’s career at MTSU, the Blue Raiders, under head coach Boots Donnelly, won four OVC championships. Ed coached several All-American players, as well as players who went to the pros, including Don Griffin, Marty Carter and Mike Caldwell.
Ed spent his retirement enjoying his favorite hobbies of fishing and watching football. He and his wife, Connie, who preceded him in death in 2024 after 50 years of marriage, also enjoyed going to casinos in Las Vegas and Biloxi, MS.
Ed leaves behind his children, Cindy Joiner (Bob) and Michael Lee (Martha); grandchildren Sara, Bethany, AnnMarie, Ashley, Heather, Lauren; seven great grandchildren; cousins Russell Bunio (Mary) and Jessica Lightstone; and sister-in-law Patti Hoffman (Tom).
Visitation with the family will be Thursday, October 29, 2026 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro. Funeral service will be Friday, October 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM . Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Murfreesboro.
