Edward Alan Sessler

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Edward Alan Sessler

February 15, 1951 - April 7, 2007 Surrounded by his family and friends, Ed left peacefully and quietly, of complications from Hodgkins lymphoma. Ed's 24-year battle with cancer, which included a bone marrow transplant at Stanford in 1992, was fought with bravery, dignity, eternal optimism, and always, always his magnificent sense of humor. A native of San Bruno, Ed attended Crestmoor High School and Skyline College, where his passion for writing was first fueled on the Skyline Press. A 1974 graduate of the School of Journalism at San Jose State University, Ed met his wife on the staff of the Spartan Daily. He was for 30 years a technical Publications Manager, first at ARGOSystems, Inc, and then at EDO RSS, Inc. in Morgan Hill. Ed is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jackie Easley, and his son Josh Sessler. He was also "Dad" to his devoted Golden Retrievers, Lucas, Bailey, and Elvis. Always an avid sports fan, Ed delighted in following his beloved S.F. Giants to their new ballpark, and was so thrilled to share charter seats with a close-knit group of friends. Ed coached Josh in Saratoga Little League baseball, soccer, and basketball. A voracious reader, Ed served as a Library Commissioner in Saratoga and a member of the Library Expansion Committee. He delighted in the completion of the new Saratoga Public Library. Some of Ed's happiest moments were spent under the stars at Villa Montalvo, the Mountain Winery, or Shoreline, or, in earlier days, the Fillmore, listening to music. He was an avid backpacker, a proud DeadHead, a newly christened opera fan, and a self-proclaimed repository of trivial facts. Between his bouts of illness, Ed and Jackie shared a passion for traveling the world. Since 2000, they explored Italy, France, England, and the Czech Republic, including a never-to-be-forgotten three weeks in Tuscany, and dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower on their 26th anniversary. We have lost a devoted and loving husband and father, a loyal friend, a courageous patient, and the Sessler and Coen families' beloved "Eddie." Ed is preceded in death by his father Kurt and his dear grandmother Esther Daniel. Ed is survived by his adoring mother Debora Sessler, aunt Bertha Leaver, brother Jeffrey Sessler (Natalie), sister Elizabeth Benner (Tom), beloved aunt and uncle Ruth and David Coen, cousins Gary Coen (Shawna), and Lynn Coen Hott (Charley), sisters-in-law Deborah Hamilton, Donna Shemwell, and Elaina Parton, treasured friends Sam Cannuli (Kathy) and Martin Thomas (Leslie), and numerous nieces and nephews, of whom he was exceedingly proud. Our gratitude and love to the many caring, compassionate medical professionals who shared Ed's life, and his hope, particularly the Stanford BMT Unit and the Cardiology, Oncology, and Hematology departments at Camino Medical Group. Ed was honored to have Drs. Stephen Cohen, Robert Master, Irene Wu, and James Heckmann and their devoted staffs share his journey. Friends are invited to remember and affirm Ed's life at a Memorial Service in the Community Meeting Room of the Saratoga Public Library on Friday, Apr. 13, at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Darling Fischer, Los Gatos. Private inurnment at Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga. In lieu of flowers, donations to NORCAL Golden Retriever Rescue, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, or the Santa Clara County Libraries Memorial Gifts program are appreciated. On-line donation forms are available on the websites of all three organizations.