Edward John Spall

Edward John Spall, 77, passed away peacefully at his home in Manassas VA surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday February 21, 2018. Born the eldest of seven children of Edward and Mary Spall of Carbondale PA, Ed graduated from the University of Detroit as an Electrical Engineer in 1963. He married the love of his life, Joann Arnese, the following year. Ed enjoyed a 45-year career in engineering management with IBM, Loral, Lockheed, and the Ovonyx Corporation. He was blessed with rewarding work and supportive co-workers. Among other military and space programs, he worked on the Titan ICBM, F-15 Fighter computer, and the Space Shuttle. He also managed the development of radiation-hardened computer and memory chips supporting NASA interplanetary missions like the Mars Rover program and developed patents for new non-volatile computer memory technology. Ed served our local homeless over a period of 20 years as a founding board member and board president of BARN Community Housing. Ed was a shining example of how one man can make a powerful difference in the lives of so many. Ed is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joann, and their five children: Susan (Doug) Ferguson of Salem VA, Edward (Jill) Spall of Manassas VA, John (Wanda) Spall of San Ramon CA, Laurie (John) Vena of Arlington VA, and Richard (Michelle) Spall of Plano TX. He is also survived by his fourteen grandchildren: Daniel, Kelly, and Brad Ferguson; Anna, Jack, and Lucas Spall; Shawn and Annie Tsai, Colin and Toby Spall; Anthony and Allegra Vena; Donovan and Elena Spall. Ed is also survived by his two brothers: Leonard Spall of Colorado Springs CO, Joseph Spall of Carbondale PA, and his three sisters; MaryAnn Mikulak of Phoenix AZ, Sally Kutchmanich of Carbondale PA, and Ruth Bianco of Carbondale PA. Ed was preceded in death by his Parents and brother James, also of Carbondale PA. In addition, Ed is survived by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the BARN Community Housing, Bristow VA, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, and the International Myeloma Foundation. Visitation will be held at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas VA, on Thursday March 1st from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm. A remembrance mass will be held at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Rd, Manassas VA, on Friday March 2nd at 1:30 pm.

Edward John Spall

September 12, 1940 - February 21, 2018