Edwin L. Abell

EDWIN LOUIS ABELL passed away August 4, 2017, after a lengthy battle with esophageal cancer. A true fighter until the end, Ed was well known for his positive attitude and determination to beat this disease. Ed was born to Louis and Louise Abell on August 31, 1944, in Leonardtown, Maryland. In his younger years, Ed frequently spent time oystering with his father on the St. Mary’s River, and farming on the family farm in St. Inigoes, Maryland. He loved boating and water skiing, and has taught countless kids to ski over the years. After graduating from high school in 1962, Ed initially wanted to become a Marine, but as fate would have it, he never entered any branch of the service. Instead, he attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland and then the University of Maryland, ultimately finding his niche at West Virginia University Institute of Technology, from which he graduated in 1968 with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Following college, Ed began a 34-year career in service to his country as a civil servant for the Department of the Navy. The early years included electronics testing for government aircraft, and building systems for worldwide Naval security, involving thermal imaging, cameras, and broadcasting. In early 1995, as a result of government base closures, Ed and Barb relocated from Maryland to Mt. Pleasant, SC, where he was a Division Head for SPAWAR Charleston, producing shipboard communications systems. After retiring from the federal government in 2000, Ed and Barb moved to Suffolk, Virginia. There, he worked at Newport News Shipbuilding as a Program Manager for the Virginia Advanced Shipbuilding Carrier Integration Center. After retiring from there in 2009, he and Barb finally moved to their dream home on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Ed loved being retired, free to go boating around the lake, or golfing with his Tuesday group, or tinkering in his woodworking shop. He and Barb were active in their church, Trinity Ecumenical Parish, where they have developed many new friendships over the past years. Ed’s faith was strong – he was confident that he would spend eternity in heaven with God. Ed’s greatest joy was his family. He was a much-loved husband, father, and granddaddy. Those left behind to remember him include his wife of 30 years, Barbara Abell, sons Richard Abell (Kimberly) and David Abell (Jackie), daughters Tammy Labows (Chris) and Wendy Brandt (Darryl), and grandchildren Greyson, Justin, Lawson, Jenna, Lauren, Adam, Michael, Jack and Mikayla. Ed is also survived by his brother Robert Abell (Michael Dyson), and his former wife, Donna Oliver Young. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Louise, and by his daughter, Cathy Ann. A celebration of Ed's life will be held on Sunday, August 13, at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity Ecumenical Parish, Moneta, VA. A second service will be held Tuesday, August 15, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Mary's City, MD. In memory of Ed, donations may be made to Sending Smiles (www.sendingsmiles2sis.com) or to Trinity Ecumenical Parish, 40 Lakemount Drive, Moneta, VA 24121, both of which provided extraordinary support and kindness to Ed, especially during his illness.