Edward H Mitrani

Edward Henry Mitrani, age 90, resident of Beverly Hills, Florida, passed away Jan 17, 2015. Ed is survived by his loving wife Carol, his brother Frank (wife Jean), daughter Tina Cox (husband Bill, grandson Brendan (wife Elizabeth), granddaughter Erin), son Jacques (wife Julie, grandson Jacques Evan, granddaughter Monique), Carol’s son Russ (grandson Christopher), and Carol’s daughter Shaun (grandson Jason and granddaughter Jessica). Ed is survived by stepchildren William Loskota (wife Valerie), Michael Loskota (wife Cher), Margaret Loskota-Wilson (husband Craig), Robin Duval, niece Jen Owston (husband Chris) and nephew Michael Mitrani (wife Frannie).  Ed was preceded in passing by his stepdaughter Frances Loskota-Christ (husband Karl). Ed was born August 6, 1924 in Kewanee, Illinois to Jacques and Fortunee Mitrani. As a young man Ed wanted to fly airplanes. He joined the US Army Air Corps after finishing high school and starting college. He became a B-25 (Mitchell medium bomber) for the USAAC and rose to the rank of Captain in the US Air Force. During WW II Ed flew 70 bomber missions over well defended enemy territory in southern France and Italy, successfully completing his runs and returning to base. He was never shot down or injured by enemy bullets or flak. (That was when he earned the nickname “fast Eddy” – because he was dodging bullets). Upon returning to the States and completing his service to the country, Ed re-entered civilian life as a cowboy in New Mexico, a corporate pilot in Southern California, a movie pilot for the movie “Catch-22”, an actor and a businessman. In 1971 Ed met Carol and they were married in 1972 and spent 20 years in Southern California before retiring to Arizona. After moving from Arizona, Ed and Carol traveled across the country by RV for over 10 years. They made lots of friends during their travels to 46 states, and decided to settle down in Beverly Hills, Florida, buying a nice little house where they have lived for the past seven years. Ed and Carol enjoyed golfing and were active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, local, regional and state politics, and the local veterans’ organizations. Ed was honored in Washington, D.C. in 2013 Honor Flight Program. Ed lived a full and rewarding life. A Celebration of Edwards Life is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 12:30 P.M. at the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness. The funeral will then proceed to the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, where military honors will be rendered.