Edward Thomas Irving, 85, passed away at his home in Freeland on May 17, 2009.

A service will be held at a later date.

Edward was born in New York City on June 19, 1923 to Andrew and Helen (Wares) Irving. He grew up in Union City, N.J., and graduated from Holy Family High School.

It was in high school where he met his sweetheart Margaret Wider; they were married in Union City on June 9, 1946. They would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary this June.

After high school, Edward attended Rutgers University, and then joined the Army, were he received a Purple Heart.

After being honorably discharged, he went to work for Home Insurance as a computer tech, when computers were the size of a room.

In 1951, Edward and his family moved with the company to San Francisco, where he worked until his retirement. The family then moved to Kelseyville, Calif. in 1982, where they stayed until moving to Whidbey Island in 2004 to be closer to their daughter in Seattle.

Edward enjoyed sports and fishing and tending his garden.

Edward is survived by his wife Margaret of Freeland, and three daughters, Jane Bigelow of Seattle, Marilyn Royer of Danville, Calif. and Coreen Irving of Snohomish.

Visser Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangments.