Edward Joseph Kunec

Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on August 6, 2016.

Ed was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA on March 25, 1926, the second son in a family of twelve children. He was a natural athlete and excelled on the baseball and football teams at Plains High School. After graduating from high school in 1944, Ed joined the United States Navy and served in the Pacific Theater on the United States Ship Crux during World War II. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946, Ed attended Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, PA and graduated with a degree in Economics in 1950. He married his sweetheart, Marie, in 1952. Ed moved to Washington, DC in 1951 to begin his 37-year career with the Federal Government. He worked at the General Accounting Office for several years, then as an auditor for the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. Ed transferred to NASA when the Agency was initially established and worked the remaining 27 years of his career in NASA’s Program Budget & Control Office. His years at NASA were a source of pride and accomplishment. He supported the budgets for NASA’s development of launch vehicles, scientific satellites, Spacelab, and the Space Shuttle.

Ed was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and as an Usher. He was very active in the community. Ed coached the CYO boys’ basketball team at St. James, volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America, the Knights of Columbus, and many other community organizations. He was a founding member of the Washington, DC Metro Area chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and was named Washingtonian of the year in 1983 for his work with MADD. Ed was devoted to his wife and his family. He had a warm smile and a strong hug for everyone.

He was preceded in death by his son, Edward Jude. He is survived by his wife, Marie, his children, Alice Amos (Glenn), Joan Threlfall (Mark Babyak), Nancy Ale (Bill), and David Kunec, grandchildren Helen Amos, Edward Threlfall, and Willa Ale, brothers John, Peter, and Thomas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 1102 W Broad St, Falls Church on August 19 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave, Falls Church at 1:00 PM on August 20.

Arrangements under the direction of Murphy Falls Church Funeral Home, Falls Church, VA.