Edward Robert Sieracki

Edward Robert Sieracki, 87, died peacefully on February 22. He was born April 17, 1929, to Joseph and Anne Sieracki in Dickson City, PA. After graduating from Dickson City High School in 1946, he played one season of minor league baseball in the Carolina League, and then enrolled at the University of Buffalo. His studies were interrupted by a three-year stint in the US Army, where he graduated from Officer Candidate School as a first lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division. In 1954 he married Isa Jensen, whom he had met at the University of Buffalo. After leaving the Army, Ed returned to University of Buffalo, eventually earning his PhD in counseling and clinical psychology. He worked for the Veteran's Administration for 32 years, providing for the mental health needs of those who had served, at several VA hospitals. As chief of psychology services at the Perry Point MD VA hospital he was instrumental in creating storefront outreach clinics and an alcoholic treatment center. In 1991 Ed retired from the VA as deputy director of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences in Washington DC. He loved sports and was an avid golfer. A devoted family man, he will be dearly missed by his wife, Isa; his children, Michael (Laura), of Alexandria, VA; Fred (Sheryl), of Annapolis, MD; Paul (Sharon), of Aberdeen, MD; Joan Fennekohl (Eric), of Rosedale, MD; and John (Rhonda), of Amherst, MA; and his five grandchildren Rita, Katie, Hannah, Helen and Sebastian. A viewing will be held from 3-5 p.m. February 26 at Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home in Aberdeen MD, and funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. February 27 at St. Joan of Arc Church in Aberdeen. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to St. Joan of Arc Church or the American Red Cross.