Edward Raymond Gardner

Edward Raymond Gardner, 89, husband of the late Alice Werner Gardner and a resident Folly Creek Club Lane, Accomac, VA, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, VA. A native Meriden, CT, he was the son of the late George Arthur Gardner and the late Helen Cavanaugh Gardner.

At the start of WWII Ted wanted nothing more than to follow his brother Billy into war and become a pilot. Ted first volunteered for service in the United States Army (his Mom had to sign for him). He soon was discharged from the Army and reenlisted directly in the Marine Corps to follow his dream of flying. He found there were no opportunities to become a pilot in the Corps which led him to again change branches of the service and become part of the Air Force. It was here that Ted finally attained his dream of becoming a pilot and fly some of the first jet aircraft and fight for our country. Ted's military career was cut short due to a mid-air collision while in flight training for deployment to Korea. Another pilot missed seeing him at the end of the squadron's landing formation and landed on top of Ted. Ted was badly hurt and spent two years in a California military hospital from injuries he received in the crash. This is where he met his future wife, Alice. It was always his joke to tell everyone if he had known he would meet Alice at the hospital he would have crashed a whole lot sooner!! After recovery and a 4-year college stint on the G.I. Bill, Ted went into public service. He joined the National Security Agency where he was Security Management Officer and assistant to the deputy director of the NSA. Due to his previous injuries in the plane crash Ted was forced to retire early from the job he loved ending his honorable and patriotic service to The United States of America.

He is survived by a sister, Flora G. Sundberg of Wallingford, CT; a niece, Bonnie Anderson of Northford, CT and a nephew, Barry Cavanna of Wooster, OH.

A private interment will be held in Wachapreague Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com