Edmund Rainey was born in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. He was educated at Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt, and Queen's University Belfast. After house officer posts in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Edmund undertook specialist training in orthopaedic surgery at Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast. On completion of his training in 1971, he was appointed consultant at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, where he worked until his retirement in 1996. He was also a member of the founding committee of Methley Park Hospital, and served on the committee of the Wakefield and District Mobile Physiotherapy Association.
He was an active member of Wakefield Round Table, becoming chairman in 1976.
Edmund was a keen and competitive golfer and was a member of Wakefield Golf Club for 30 years. He leaves a wife, Rosemary; two sons and one daughter; and seven grandchildren.