Edward Brownley Owens, of Bedford Massachusetts, formerly of Lexington Massachusetts, passed away at Carelton Willard Village on August 9. Born in Portsmouth Virginia on February 17 ^th , 1922, he met his beloved late wife of 51 years, Mary Alice Owens, as a member of the choir of St. Anne's in Annapolis Maryland, just one example of how music was a guiding force and source of pleasure and inspiration throughout his life. Ed leaves his son, Bruce Owens, and Bruce's wife, Diane Ciekawy, his son Tom Owens, and his wife Dinah Demers, his son Tom's former wife, Patti Owens, and his three grandchildren, Kimberly Owens, Brandon Owens, and Rachel Nalley, as well as his companion and dear friend of the family, Audrey Fletcher. He is also mourned by his many nieces and nephews: sons and daughters of his late brothers, Bobby, Spencer, and Albert and of his late brother in law and sister in law, John and Jennie Oleksy. He was also predeceased by his dearly beloved sister, Ruth.

Ed came to Massachusetts with his family in 1957 to work as an analytical chemist at M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory, from which he retired in 1982, a career that began in Annapolis Maryland at the age of 18 when he left home in Portsmouth Virginia to take his first job in a laboratory. He advanced his career by putting himself through college at Johns Hopkins University while working full time. His stories of these days, which he regarded as unremarkable though highly rewarding, continue to amaze and inspire his sons, who are also guided by his credo, "Moderation in all things, including moderation." A celebration of his life is to be planned at Carleton Willard in the fall. Please contact family members for further information. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Lexington Symphony Orchestra may be made in his name.