Edward James Reardon of Arlington, Massachusetts died peacefully at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, on Sunday, January 9, 2022. He was 84 years of age.

He was born in Boston, MA, the son of Joseph T Reardon and Tera (Johnson) Reardon on August 12, 1937 as the third of twelve children. Always, "Eddie" to his family, he is survived by his sister Barbara Reardon of New Bedford, his brother Timothy of Texas, his sister Arlene Barry of Mesa, AZ, Kathryn Reardon of Maryland, Michael of Melrose, and Diane Saraceni of Malden. He was predeceased by siblings William, Tera Wynters, Mary Delano, Eleanor Green, and Paul Reardon.

Ed was a real "Boston boy," growing up in Charlestown and other neighborhoods of the city; he went on many adventures by foot, by bike, and by train, exploring the city and all it had to offer, sometimes with his older brother, Billy. They would go to the "country town" of Norwood to see the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins and the adventures would be different but continue there. Ed knew all the streets and neighborhoods of the old Boston, its history and politics, and remembered and shared many of the stories with his children and grandchildren. To earn pocket money and help his family, he would shine shoes, sell newspapers outside Fenway Park, and deliver telegrams by bicycle to the West and North Ends of the city. His family didn't have money to buy him a bike so he built one himself from different parts that he found at the junkyard and castoffs from neighbors; he was very resourceful. In 1954, at 17, he joined the Air Force and became a respected cryptographic mechanic, something he achieved despite not having the formal mathematics training usually required for that job. He was a quick learner and had a strong technical aptitude. He traveled to different parts of the country and enjoyed meeting people from many different backgrounds; this was one of the most exciting times of his life and he remembered it fondly.

After his time in the Air Force, he married and began a family. Through the years, he worked as an engineering assistant, machine mechanic, life insurance salesman, and became a skilled carpenter and roofer, an occupation he retired from and would continue by sharing his skills doing projects for his family. This was also the start of another, big adventure as a father of nine children; there was no training program for that but Ed was a natural, having cared for his younger brothers and sisters and cousins while growing up. It was a busy and sometimes chaotic household but he loved it and his children and it was a happy period in his life. He leaves a family of nine children, 25 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, a human legacy that cannot be matched by riches. He Who is the beloved father of Debra Reardon (Lloyd Herendeen) of Arlington, Valerie Reardon of Vassalboro, ME, Monica Reardon(David Briand) of Northport FL, Timothy of Maine. Jeannie Reardon (Peter Bartel) of Taunton, Patrick Reardon of Dexter, ME, Edward Reardon Jr. (Danielle) of Deerfield Beach, FL, Arthur Reardon (Cindy) of New Hampshire, and Darrell Reardon (Rachael) of Florida.

In retirement, he continued his lifelong hobby as an American and European history buff with a special interest in WWII, politics, maintaining and using several computers on which he played solitaire and mah-jongg and visited the World, trips to the Cape and Maine with his family, and hangin' out with his grandsons sharing laughs and crazy stories.  He was a fascinating and unique man, with a huge heart; he will be sorely missed by those who loved him.

Burial will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, on Friday, January 14, at 11:15 AM.

Memorial contributions can be made to Franciscan Children's, 30 Warren St., Brighton, MA 02135.