Edward Leon Perry

Beloved son, father, grandfather, uncle and brother Edward Leon Perry, Jr., left this life to live eternally with his Lord and Savior on February 11, 2019. He was born in Baltimore, MD on August 7, 1960. As a young man, he enjoyed helping in his grandparents' store. He was very close to his grandmother, Flossie Cacano & admired his grandfather, Leonard. He graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in 1978 and after a brief time working for the Maryland Division of Highways, Edward went on to a successful career at BWI Airport, where he pioneered drafting by helping to integrate computer aid design (CAD). He was self-taught in Auto-CAD and took great pride in expanding his knowledge and skill set with minimal formal education. After marrying in 1981, he built a house with his mother in Halethorpe, MD. His two daughters, whom he affectionately nicknamed “Honey Bun” and “Skipper” were born during his time in this home, where they had the privilege of living with his mother, their “Nanny”. Edward longed for life in the mountains and was eventually able to purchase 15 acres in Lake Ferndale, WV. The family enjoyed camping trips here and the drives from Maryland to West Virginia, along with the joys of exploring the woods and sitting by a campfire continue as some of his daughters' happiest young memories. In 1995, after building his own beautiful home there, he moved his family out of the city to realize his dream of full-time mountain living. In 1999, his son Edward III was born. Little Eddie was a precious addition to the family and his father called him “My Buddy”. Edward loved the Lord, his country and his extensive library. He was an avid history buff and reader and his older daughter, Sarah was often scolded for stealing his books. He was a lover of art, in particular, M.C. Escher & Salvador Dali, a love that carried down to his younger daughter, Rebekah. He enjoyed taking his children to museums and sharing his great knowledge. He also loved air and space history and marveled over air and space engineering; Eddie grew up with a similar appreciation for engineering. He loved the Smithsonian Institute & was a supporter of 2nd Amendment rights, as he held great regard for our Constitution and Bill of Rights. His greatest joys were always in family gatherings and traditions; He relished in teaching his family something new or helping them. After his daughters were out of the house, he was particularly proud of being a father to Eddie. Whenever he could, he loved taking Little Eddie to Virginia Beach and on other adventures. He enjoyed doting on his grandchildren and bringing his beloved mother away from Baltimore to stay with the family. He and his mother had a very close bond and he took special care of her throughout his life. Edward is survived by his loving mother, Joan Drexler of Halethorpe; two daughters, Sarah Phillips and husband Mark of Inwood and Rebekah Miller and fiancé Charles Fuller of Hedgesville; son, Edward Leon Perry, III; three grandchildren, Julian, Aidan and Lakelynn Miller; sister, Denise Drexler, mother of three nephews, Jeffrey, Josh and Shayne Kunkle and cousin Michael Maloy. Edward was cremated by Simplicity Cremation & Funeral Services. A funeral mass will be held at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Linthicum Heights (Baltimore County), MD on Saturday, February 23rd at 11:00 a.m. Thereafter will follow a celebration of life luncheon for friends and family at 12:45 p.m. at Italia's Corner Cafe in Burwood Shopping Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gilchrist Center hospice of Baltimore so that they may continue to provide to others the kindness they showed Edward in his final days. Please visit gilchristcares.org and select “donations”. Reception Information: Italia's Corner Cafe 7089 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd GLEN BURNIE, MD US 21061 A celebration of Edward's life will take place at 1:00pm.

Edward Leon Perry

August 7, 1960 - February 11, 2019