Edward F. Sise Jr.

Edward F. "Ed" Sise, Jr. of Smithfield, VA passed away on December 3, 2019. Ed was born on December 31, 1930 in Medford, MA to Edward F. Sise, Sr. and Mildred Bradley Sise. Ed earned his B.S. in Marine Engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. He spent two years in the Navy and was appointed Engineering Officer of the USS Monssen, DD798.

Ed Sise spent most of his adult life at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). He joined NNS at the age of 25 in 1956. As the company first entered the nuclear industry, Ed was certified as a Shift Test Engineer in 1960 during initial construction of the USS Enterprise, the Navy's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier. In 1964 he was Chairman of the Joint Refueling Group for the first refueling of the Enterprise. He next served as NNS' representative at Mare Island Naval Shipyard for the first refueling of the USS Bainbridge and participated in refueling the Navy's first land-based nuclear prototype reactor at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Upon returning to NNS he was Project Engineer for Surface Ship Refueling and served as Project Manager for Atomic Power Design for the second refueling of the USS Enterprise.

In 1981, following the accident at Three Mile Island, Ed was appointed to the Technical Assistance and Advisory Group (TAAG) for the defueling and clean-up of the Three Mile Island Unit II Reactor. He served on the TAAG for seven years. Later, Ed served as Manager, Carrier Overhaul Nuclear Project, where he managed the first nuclear overhaul of the USS Nimitz. As the third refueling of the USS Enterprise--the Navy's largest and most complex nuclear overhaul to date--loomed on the shipyard's horizon, Ed was appointed as the Director, Enterprise Preparations. Because of his close association with this ship throughout his career, he was often referred to as "Mr. Enterprise".

Ed completed his forty-three year career with the shipyard as the Director, Reactor Services, where he oversaw the nuclear refueling of the first USS Nimitz Class aircraft carrier and the deactivation of the submarine USS Narwhal. Though Ed retired on his 69th birthday, this man who witnessed the evolution of--and whose name became synonymous with--nuclear operations at Newport News Shipbuilding, did not disappear from the shipyard. He continued his involvement as a consultant with NNS in the field he had grown to love.

Through his life and especially in retirement Ed pursued his love of golf, hitting the links whenever possible. Following his retirement, he split his time between Smithfield, VA and Grand Junction, CO, and never missed the annual family vacation at Sunset Beach, NC. He loved the flag, country and family. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, grandfather, brother and uncle to his family, and good friend to many.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 35 years, Marilyn Sise. He is survived by his wife Alana Sue Sise, sons Edward F. Sise III (Carol), Jeffery T. Sise, Robert L. Sise (Shannon), daughter Cynthia A. Obleas (David), stepson Bryan L. Conley; sisters Brad Hudson (Joe) and Verne Varda (Johnny); seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and a great-nephew.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Smithfield Baptist Church, 100 Wainwright Dr. Smithfield, VA 23430.  A celebration of Life and Lunch will follow in The Family Life Center.