Edson Donald De Castro

Edson Donald de Castro, known to many as Ed and to some as Ben, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2024. Born in Plainfield, NJ, to Barbara (Butt) and Edson E. de Castro. Ed spent his formative years in Newton, Massachusetts.
Ed graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1956, and earned a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from Lowell Tech in 1960. He also served in the Air National Guard reserves from 1960 to 1968.
In 1961 Ed embarked on a career in the emerging minicomputer field at Digital Equipment Corporation. After working in a few different capacities at Digital, Ed became interested in branching out and developing a product on his own. In 1968, at the age of 29, Ed and a few colleagues, made a remarkable impact on the world of computing when they introduced the Nova computer and founded Data General Corporation. The company went public in 1969 and ultimately became part of the Fortune 500. Ed thrived on the challenges of leading a cutting edge technology business for the next 2 decades.
After his time at Data General, Ed served on the boards of several prominent companies and institutions, including Boston University and Brigham and Women's Hospital. He was also a proud founder of the Massachusetts High Technology Council.
A passionate traveler and aviation enthusiast, Ed didn't just travel to the typical tourist hotspots. He especially enjoyed off the beaten path locales such as Yemen, Russia, Colombia, Haiti and Guatemala among many others. Ed was an avid airplane and helicopter pilot which helped him to reach some unique spots in the United States. Martha's Vineyard, the Bahamas and Lake Powell were some of his favorites. These passions meshed well with his enjoyment of spending time maintaining his airplanes, antique boat and antique cars.
Edson is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eileen Riggs de Castro. He is survived by his five children: Susan (and her husband, Allen), Stephen (and his wife, Kristen), Michael (and his wife, Jules), David (and his fiancée, Amber), and Thomas. His eight grandchildren-Andrew, Benjamin, Lilly, Annie, Clara, Tyler, Nicholas, and Alianna-will fondly remember his smile and wry sense of humor. Ed is also survived by his sister Sally, brother John, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours at the Chiampa Funeral Home, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 10:00am-11:00am. A funeral service will follow the visitation. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Boylston immediately following the service.
In Lieu of flowers, donations in Ed's honor may be made to: Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/mind