Survivors include his sister, Dolores Logue and her husband Anthony, of Seacrest, Fla.; his nephew, Major Brian Logue, U.S. Air Force, his wife Jean and grand-niece Laura Jean; niece, Lisa Burns, her husband Roy, grand-nephew Brenden and grand-niece Kathryn; and niece, Kathleen Logue. In addition to his parents, predeceased family members include his sister Clare and a nephew, Michael.

Ed Richardson graduated from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. After several years of private employment, he enrolled at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., where he graduated in 1949. He concurrently entered the seminary at Catholic University and was ordained there Feb. 9, 1950. When the Korean conflict began, Father Richardson was sent to the Navy Chaplain's school in 1952. His Navy career spanned 30 years. During the Korean crisis, he served with 9th Marine Regiment in Japan. Later he served with the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force in Vietnam and aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Forrestal. During his 1971-74 tour as chaplain at NAB, Little Creek, he was directly involved with the construction of the present chapel. He received more than 20 medals and ribbons during his career, including the Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. He is a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League.

Father Richardson began service in 1984 as a priest at the Naval Security Group Base in Chesapeake where he built a thriving Catholic community with several hundred members. Father Ed received a Navy scholarship to Notre Dame where he studied and received a master's degree in philosophy in 1965. While at Notre Dame, he also served as chaplain for the Navy, Army and Air Force ROTC units. He was the chaplain of The Notre Dame Club of Southeastern Virginia since the club's inception in 1980. In November 2002, Father Richardson was the first recipient of the "God, Country, Notre Dame" award presented by the Notre Dame Alumni Association. "God, Country, Notre Dame" is an initiative developed by the Notre Dame Alumni Association Board of Directors in response to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. The program seeks to honor and support members of the Notre Dame family who serve as America's protectors.

The Knights of Columbus have benefited from his membership and guidance for more than 65 years. He served as their Virginia State chaplain since 1985. He was also the Virginia State chaplain for the Catholic Daughters of Americas. He was past president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was one the founders of Saint Mary's Soup Kitchen in Norfolk 28 years ago. In 1989, he was named "Citizen of the Year for Hampton Roads." He received the National Brotherhood Award in 1990 from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Both of these awards were "firsts" for a Catholic priest.

Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. A vigil service will be held Monday in St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Virginia Beach. A visitation will be held between 6 and 7 p.m. and the vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, May 6, at 11 a.m. at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base Chapel. All persons planning to attend the funeral Mass who do not have Military ID's will be required to enter through gate 3 on Shore Drive. They must provide Hollomon-Brown (757) 464-6221 their names, make and model of vehicle and license plate number by 1 p.m. Monday. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Provincial Society of African Missions, 23 Bliss Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670 or to Bethlehem Monastery of Poor Clare Nuns, 5500 Holly Fork Road, Barhamsville, VA 23011.

Father Ed was a consummate Catholic priest and chaplain to many faith groups, an astute and caring parish shepherd, a mentor and example to many and a friend to all. Father Richardson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Aug. 12, 2008. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on 5/1/2008.