Gerard J. Needham Sr.

NEEDHAM GERARD J. NEEDHAM, SR. Mechanical Engineer Gerard J. Needham, Sr., a retired civilian employee of the Naval Department's Special Projects section, and later principal of Gerard J. Needham Consultants, died on October 3, 2011 after a long illness. Mr. Needham worked in the development and testing of the Polaris, Poseidon and the Trident I and II missile defense systems, and was instrumental in the development of the Aero-spike technology and in introducing the use of graphite epoxy to achieve gains in missile delivery range. Mr. Needham was born in 1924 in Scranton, PA. He attended Nativity School and St. Johns High School and graduated from Central High School in Scranton. Mr. Needham is a graduate of the Catholic University in Washington, DC. Mr. Needham was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the 104th Infantry Division, Timberwolves, in Belgium and Germany in 1944. He fought in the Rhineland Campaign, was a German POW from November 1944 until being liberated in June 1945, and was awarded numerous decorations for his service in WWII. Mr. Needham was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Disabled American Veterans and a long-time member of St. Bernadette's Catholic Church in Springfield, VA. Survivors include his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia Brennan Needham of Springfield; a daughter, Mary P. Needham of Springfield; two sons, James P. of Springfield and Carey F. of Haymarket, VA; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved son Gerard Jr. Friends may call at the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA, where the family will be present from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 7, 2011, 11 a.m. at Church of the Nativity of our Lord, 6400 Nativity Ln., Burke, VA 22015. Interment to follow at Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Operation Starfish, www.starfishmission.org. www.fmfh.com