Edward M. Lerner

Edward M. Lerner

Edward M. Lerner, 63, of Spotsylvania County died peacefully at home on Monday, May 26, 2008, of complications from cancer.

Mr. Lerner was a native of New York City, having grown up in Rosedale, Queens County, the son of Genevieve and George Lerner.

He was a licensed radio amateur for over 47 years and also enjoyed genealogical research. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and Hunter College in the Bronx with a major in physics. He achieved a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

He began his long career with the Department of the Navy at the Naval Weapons Laboratory, now Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, working in the electro-optical field. In 1983, he accepted a position with the Naval Sea Systems Command, NAVSEA, where he became head of the Gun Fire Control Development Branch. In 1990, he began working with the United States Marine Corps in various capacities, including program manager of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle and other combat vehicle programs. He was lead engineer, Strategic Business Team, at the time of his retirement in 2007 after 41 years of civil service.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kathleen; and his daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Darren Jiron of Vienna and Amy and Andrew O'Connor of Collegeville, Pa.; beloved grandchildren, Lindsey, Griffin, Kelly and Ryan; his brothers, George Lerner of Hicksville, N.Y., and Raymond Lerner and his wife, Camille, of Laytonsville, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 2, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8200 Robert E. Lee Drive, Spotsylvania, Va. 22551, with the Rev. John J. Riley officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at Covenant Funeral Service, 4801 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, Va. 22408, with a rosary service at 7:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Birthright of Fredericksburg, 13 Lafayette Station, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or to St. Matthew Catholic Church Building Fund, 8200 Robert E. Lee Drive, Spotsylvania, Va. 22551.

Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com.