While attending high school at Bishop Hendricken in Warwick, he became involved with band, which helped set the stage for a love of music that remained with him for life. After graduating high school in 1972, Ed went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science at the University of Rhode Island in 1976.
Following completion of his studies, Ed was a vocalist and lead guitarist for Sahara, a top-40s rock band of the early 1980s. A true regional band, Sahara played at venues across New England, including the old Lamplighter in Warwick, the Red Baron in Plainville, Mass., and the Cape and Islands during summers. When the weather turned cold, Sahara played the ski areas of northern New England.
After Sahara’s run ended in 1984, Ed put his computer skills to work, taking a position as a programmer at Aquidneck Data Corp., followed by Aquidneck Management Associates. And for the past decade-plus, he worked as a computer scientist for the Department of Defense at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport.
Throughout his professional career, Ed kept up with his music, maintaining his guitar skills by playing with Eugene Massa’s Warwick Community Jazz Ensemble. He also appeared regularly on the classical guitar at church services in Providence and West Warwick. Ed was a very involved parishioner at St. Joseph Church in West Warwick, where he taught CCD confirmation classes for more than ten years. In addition, he served as the long-time president of the Pontiac Free Library Association, which oversees the operations of the Pontiac Free Library in Warwick.
Ed loved the ocean, trips up to Old Orchard Beach, and spending time with his family. Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Laurie (Orcutt); his two sons, born of Susan Fenstermacher, and their wives: Michael and Jessica (Walsh) of Boston, Mass., and Jonathan and Jaimie (Blakeney) of Wilmot, N.H.; brother David Justin of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; stepchildren Julia Page of East Greenwich and Matthew Page of West Warwick; grandchildren, Isabella Jean and Xavier Charles; niece Ava and goddaughter Juliette.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 854 Providence St., West Warwick. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, West Warwick. Calling hours are Wednesday, Jan. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Joseph School, 850 Wakefield St., West Warwick, RI 02893.
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