Lt Col Edward J. “Ed” Survil, USAF (Ret.) – May 2, 2023

Lt Col Edward J. “Ed” Survil, USAF Ret., longtime resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away on May 2, 2023 at Liberty Heights after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Buffalo, New York, April 19, 1934, son of John and Mary Survil, Ed grew up in Olean, New York, along with four younger brothers. He graduated from Olean High School, then Buffalo State Technical Institute, with an associate degree in construction technology, and later earned a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering degree at the University of New Hampshire.

Ed entered the Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in 1955 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant rated as Navigator. He amassed 4,500 hours flight time achieving Master Navigator status. He became Flight Examiner in KC97 and KC135 aircraft and was a combat crew member in the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War era.

Ed was highly decorated during his career having received numerous citations and awards including the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, which is our nation’s fourth highest award for heroism and the highest award for extraordinary aerial achievement, for combat missions flying C-130 aircraft during the Vietnam War. After his Vietnam tour he returned to duties as a USAF Civil Engineer and became Assistant Base Civil Engineer at Lowry AFB, Colorado. His next assignment was to Headquarters Air Defense Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he was a supervisory engineer and later became Director of Engineering and Construction for all Command facility projects and finally retired as Lt Col in 1979.

He then began a second career in Colorado Springs, founding a small business, serving as CEO and President until retiring in 2015. Ed was a dedicated family man, he married Marilyn (McGee) in 1958. She was a wonderful military wife, enduring many moves during Ed’s career. They raised two ambitious sons, Jay and Todd. Sadly, Marilyn preceded Ed in death in June 1992, and then Todd in July 2017. In June 1994, he married Georgene (Castelli), mother of three adult children, Cindy, Joe, Melissa, and eight grandchildren. Unfortunately, Georgene passed away in March 2018.

Ed was a founding member, Benefactor of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church and belonged to various committees and ministries as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 9993. He was also very active in the community, including past President of Brookwood Homeowners Association, past Chairman of Briargate Community Betterment Committee. In later years along with his spouse, he enjoyed fishing, traveling, and ocean cruises.

Ed is survived by spouse Georgene’s family members; son, Jay (Tamara); grandchildren: Rachel (Erik), Taylor (Mitch), and Jennifer (Jarod), Matthew (Katie) (Todd’s children); plus two great-granddaughters; brothers: Robert, Bernard (Fr.), and Raymond (Nancy); as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and longtime friends.

He will always be remembered by his family as being an officer and a gentleman, a faithful spouse, a loving parent, and a generous and religious person.

A Memorial Service in honor of Ed will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, June 2, 2023 at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918.