Edward James Francis DeMichael

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Edward “Ed” James Francis DeMichael, 64, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, in Milford, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.

He was born April 2, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Alyce (Hengstler) and Anthony DeMichael, who died in WWII before his birth. Leo McCrossen, his stepfather was considered his dad.

Ed graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1962, served in the Air Force, and attended Community College of Philadelphia, Syracuse University and the University of New Hampshire.

In 1971, he married the former Elise Giordano in Philadelphia. During their 39 years of marriage the couple lived in Colorado, New York, Germany and New Hampshire.

Ed first came to New Hampshire in 1972 to work at the New Boston Tracking Station. The next year he joined MITRE Corp. to work in satellite communications and systems management. He traveled widely for MITRE and spent eight years with his family in Germany working with the military. Although he had been on long-term disability for the past 12 years, he was still considered a MITRE employee at the time of his death.

A former member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, Ed taught Sunday school. He was a passionate learner, and especially enjoyed reading history and philosophy. A teacher at heart, he often said that the perfect job would be raising children and animals.

Ed is survived by his wife Elise, daughter Anastasia Barrett (Ana), son-in-law James Barrett, and two granddaughters Ella, 4, and Julia, 15 months. Known as “Pop-Pop” by his girls he was adored.

In addition to his family, he leaves many individuals whose lives he touched. He was a surrogate father and mentor to Ann Marie, Eddie, Cherie, Kathy, Petar and Jim. All of his students and his beloved Ana made him very proud. Long-time friends and colleagues who were like brothers to him to him included Al, Angelo, Joe, Roy, Mark, and Klaus.

Ed was predeceased by an infant brother, his mother and stepfather, whom he and his wife nursed in their home during their final years.

A memorial service will be Saturday, Jan. 16, at 1:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Milford. A reception will follow. Ed will be interred in the Mont Vernon Cemetery in Mont Vernon with a graveside service at a later date. The New Hampshire Cremation Society is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to honor Ed make donations to the Salvation Army, Children’s Defense Fund, Multiple Sclerosis Society or a favorite charity.