Edward Paul Dunn

Edward Dunn passed away peacefully November 23, 2018 at Powhatan Nursing Home in Falls Church, VA after a brief illness. He was born July 26, 1922 in Northampton, Massachusetts. In life and in his last days, he was constantly surrounded by loved ones – children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, in-laws, family friends and caretakers. Eddie, as he came to be known after his oldest granddaughter named him this in 1986, was a loving husband, father and grandfather first and foremost, who also served his country for 59 years. First as a weather spotter for the US Army Air Corps during WWII, and for the Central Intelligence Agency for another 57 years- 30 as a staff officer and 27 as an independent consultant following retirement. Sometimes referred to as the last Cold Warrior, Eddie wielded the pen and his intellect to counter Communist movements world-wide, serving in multiple overseas assignments over his career, including in Europe and Asia. He advised on public diplomacy for arms control initiatives in the Reagan administration and continued to advise, teach and hone the tradecraft of two generations of CIA officers in his field. Eddie’s other passion was sports and following the exploits of his 7 grandchildren, whether academic, professional, or on many playing fields. An avid Red Sox and Celtics fan, he would regale anyone who would listen (or not) with detailed descriptions of key plays, some going back 50 years or more, be it a win or a loss. He was the widower of Claire Haffey Dunn, to whom he was married for 53 years before her passing in 2004. He received his undergraduate degree in history from Bates College, where he also was an active participant on the debate team and attended Harvard University before being called to service by the CIA. He is survived by his three children- E. Paul Dunn Jr. of Virginia Beach (Helen Bernal), Terence Dunn of McLean (Maureen McEnearney) and Martha Dunn Floyd of Falls Church (Perry); 7 grandchildren- E. Paul Dunn III (Adrianne), Courtney (Tony) and Patrick (Abby); Catherine and Christopher; Annie (Charlie) and Mark; and 3 great grandchildren, Elise, Parker and Clay. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church in McLean on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 11:00AM. Burial will follow in National Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to So Others Might Eat (SOME), the favorite charity of his loving wife, Claire.