Edward V. Larkin was born March 22, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY, to Vincent and Anne Larkin. He was educated in Brooklyn, attending St. Theresa of Avila Grammar School, Boys' High School, and Brooklyn College.

In 1961, Ed enlisted in the United States Navy.  He was honorably discharged in 1966. He served as a Corpsman in Cuba aboard the USS Hyandes during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the USS Ticonderoga during the Viet Nam War. Among other medals, he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to Viet Nam.

Ed was appointed to the New York City Police Department in 1967.  During his career, he served in the Mounted Unit and the elite City Wide Anti-Crime Unit. He was a highly decorated police officer, having received over 30 medals during his career. He was also a member of the NYPD Pipes and Drums. He retired in 1981.

After his retirement from the NYPD, Ed went back to school and attended Dominican College, where he received a B.S. Degree in Nursing. He worked at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center in the Bronx for 15 years, working with cancer patients as a nursing specialist in chemotherapy, until his retirement in 2001.

After moving with his family to Rockland County in 1977, Ed joined the Ancient Order of Hibernians. It was then his dream of starting a pipe band began to take shape. Ed could not believe that a predominantly Irish Rockland County did not have a pipe band of its own. In November 1985, the Pipes and Drums of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Rockland County, New York made its debut. The dream had become fulfilled. Ed would say, "it was a shaky start, but the band has come a long way." From its small beginnings, the band has grown into one of the largest and most successful bands in the tri-state area.

For all his accomplishments, Ed has twice been recognized by the AOH. In 1990,Ed was honored as the County's "Irishman of the Year."  Then in 2002, Ed was presented with a very prestigious award. He was honored with the President's Award. This award is very rarely given, and then to only truly special people who have made significant contributions to the AOH and the community.

 Ed passed away on November 28, 2003, after a short battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving family, consisting of his wife Margaret, son Brian and daughter-in-law Lisa, daughter Joan and son-in law John Mullin, and his very special grandchildren, Daniel, Michael, Thomas, and James. With any luck there will be a next generation of Larkin bagpipers and drummers to keep his dream alive.

Ed once said, "If I could be remembered for one thing, it would not be that I started a pipe band, but rather that I took these young people, and by teaching them the bagpipes, I instilled in them a knowledge and pride and love of their Irish heritage."