Edward M. Conley
Retired Raytheon Systems Engineer
TEWKSBURY: Edward M. Conley, age 85, a resident of Tewksbury for 58 years, previously of Wakefield, passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on Friday April 8, 2016.
He was the beloved husband of Louise A. (Victorine) Conley, with whom he would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on April 22, 2016.
Born in Paterson, NJ on July 23, 1930, he was the son of the late Edward M. and Gladys K. (Walsh) Conley.
Ed was raised in Winchester, MA, attended Winchester schools, and graduated from Winchester High School in 1949.
Following graduation, he had an interest in aviation and enrolled at New England Aircraft School, before attending Boston University, where he studied engineering.
After receiving his formal education, he served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. In 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in pilot training and served during the Korean War with the 807th Installations Regiment. Prior to his honorable discharge from active duty, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Mr. Conley was employed as a Sr. Systems Engineer by the Raytheon Corporation, where he worked for 22 years, until retiring in 1990. He had a 35 year career in the aerospace and defense industry. After returning home from the service, he took a job at MIT Lincoln Labs, where he worked in technical development of the SAGE Air Defense System. When the Mitre Corporation formed in 1958, Ed was one of the company’s first employees, where he was involved in the development of the National Airspace System (NAS), the first automated air traffic control and communications systems for the Department of Defense. From Mitre Corp. he moved to Raytheon Corp., where he contributed to development of the Patriot Missile and other prominent radar defense programs.
He was a member of the Tewksbury American Legion Post # 259.
Ed and his beloved wife Louise were always together. They enjoyed many winters in Ormond Beach, FL and summer trips to Gloucester and Boothbay Harbor, as well as favorite destinations in Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.
Mr. Conley also enjoyed caring for the grounds and landscape of his yard, and tinkering with cars.
Ed was known as a man of integrity, a devoted family man who loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren, and a true American patriot.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children, Sandra J. Berube and her husband Robert, Cathy A. Devlin and her husband Michael all of Tewksbury, Edward M. Conley, Jr. and his wife Cheryl of Billerica, Linda S. Sullivan and her husband Joseph of Merrimack, NH, and David B. Conley and his wife Jean of Tewksbury; twelve grandchildren, Ryan and Rachel Berube, Michael and Patrick Devlin, Edward M. Conley, Nicole and Christopher Conley, John and Christine Sullivan, Jessica, Katelyne, and David Conley; two great grandchildren, Edward M. and Keera Conley; and his sister, Mary J. Ewalt of Nashua, NH.
Mr. Conley was the grandfather of the late Bryan Devlin.
Calling hours are Monday, April 11, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be held Tuesday, April 12, at 10:30 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m., at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 or to VNA of Middlesex East, 607 North Ave., Wakefield, MA 01880.