Edward A. Casal

Edward A. Casal, of Longmont, died July 15, 2007 at the Longmont United Hospital. He was 69.Ed was born on April 25, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY to Aurelio Casal and Frances Vazquez Casal. He was raised in New York, graduating from Sewanhaka High School. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Essex, until the ship was retired in 1960.On June 11, 1966 Ed married Gerry Heine of Point Lookout, NY. Ed and Gerry?s marriage of 41 years was the definition of true love, commitment and happiness to all. After serving his country for four years, Ed returned to New York and studied Engineering at Nassau Community College, RCA Institute and New York State A&T. He joined IBM in New York City, as a Customer Engineer. In 1979, he transferred with IBM from Freeport, NY to Colorado. He retired as a Telecommunications Technician in 1996.Ed was a dedicated member of St. John?s Catholic Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was an active volunteer with the St. John?s Outreach Program. Ed led by example, instilling faith, strength and commitment within each person he touched throughout his life. His faith and family were extremely dear to him.Preceding him in death were his father, Aurelio, mother, Frances, and a step father Charles Forthmuller. Surviving are his wife, Gerry Casal, of Longmont, three daughters Deb Bickle and her husband Greg of Longmont, Jane Cox and her husband Mike of Longmont, and Susan Grable and her husband Keith of Mead, a son Tom Casal and his wife Amy of Longmont; nine grandchildren Justin & Nick Bertron, Sarah and Scott Bickle, Alexis and Michael Cox, Sierra Arndt, Danny Robinson and Jaxon Grable; a brother Charles Forthmuller, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of Coram, NY and a sister Patricia Betz and her husband Artie of Wading River, NY.A viewing will take place at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, July 19, with a Recitation of the Rosary following at 7:00 p.m., at the Howe Mortuary Chapel. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 20 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with Father Brian Morrow officiating. An interment will follow at the Longmont Mountain View Cemetery.Monetary or volunteer contributions in honor of Ed Casal may be made to St. John?s Outreach, 323 Collyer St., Longmont, CO 80501.