Edward John Leber

Edward J. Leber, age 101; of Sayville passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at the Hospice House of East Northport. His children and other family members were at his side in his final days. 

Edward was born in Waterwitch, New Jersey on July 16, 1920, the son of Edward and Lillian Leber.  He attended St. Mary’s School in East Islip, Sayville High School, and received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Adelphi and Hofstra Universities, respectively. 

Edward was a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and during World War II flew numerous missions over Western Europe.  On his last mission in June 1943, his plane was hit, and he was seriously injured, ultimately losing most of his vision.

After many weeks of rehabilitation, Edward returned home to Rockville Center.  He met Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Franz, and they were married in 1947 at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Center.  He completed post-graduate work at the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry,  Psychoanalysis and Psychology in New York City and was hired as Director of Social Services for the Industrial Home for the Blind in Brooklyn. He worked there for more than 30 years, providing services for the blind and deaf/blind. 

Edward was predeceased by his wife Mary Elizabeth (Betty) in 1990 and grandson Joseph in 2019.  He was the devoted father of Barbara Ryan (James) of Cold Spring, New York, Thomas (Jeana) of Burlington, New Jersey, John  (Carolyn) of Allen, Texas, and Mary Elizabeth (Tim Boyd) of Sayville, New York.  Edward is also survived by his sister Theresa Zeterberg of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as well as his cherished grandchildren, Christopher, Jason, Erik, Megan, Kathryn, Matthew, Andrew, Ryan and Liam and great grandchildren, Kaloni, Asher and Mckayla. 

Family will receive visitors on Friday, July 30th from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Raynor & D'Andrea Funeral Home 245 Montauk Hwy. West Sayville.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 31st at 9:45 am at St. Lawrence RC Church, Sayville.  Interment to follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery.