Edward Stanford Ronan, age 81, of Marblehead, passed away on September 6 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Mary Ann (Campello) Ronan, with whom he shared 49 years of marriage. A retired attorney and exceptionally devoted father, Ed is survived by his children Bartholomew J. Ronan and his wife Colleen of Swampscott, Edward S. Ronan Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Marblehead, and Anne E. Ronan and her husband Grant Hamming of Blacksburg, Virginia. He is also fondly remembered by his four grandchildren, Eliza S. Ronan, Margaret M. Ronan, Louise A. Ronan, and Bartholomew J. Ronan Jr. Born to Dr. Arthur T. Ronan and Rosemary Stanford Ronan on February 13, 1940, Ed and his four siblings were raised in Dorchester. After earning degrees from St. John’s Preparatory School and Saint Anselm College, where he studied philosophy, Ed found his calling in law. Immediately following his graduation from Boston University School of Law, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as an instructor at the Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island. Honorably discharged from these duties, he returned to Boston, where he first joined the firm of Hennessy, McClusky, Earle, & Kilburn and then, several years after becoming a partner, left to form a private firm on the North Shore to better serve his clients and community. He found professional fulfillment in ligitating complex cases, and personal fulfilment in raising his family. Ed derived pleasure from reading, traveling, and spending time around the golf course or card table with his friends at Tedesco Country Club. His dry wit, booming laughter, and generous spirit will be missed by all. A private funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 11 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Swampscott, followed by his burial at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead.. Arrangements by the Solimine Funeral Home, Lynn, MA. Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com