Edward James Mcdermott

Edward James McDermott, age 36, of Boise, ID, formerly of Billings, passed away on March 30, 2006 in Idaho, as a result of an automobile accident.

Edward was born in Billings, on November 7, 1969, to Lydia and Robert McDermott. He attended school at Burlington Elementary, Lewis & Clark Jr. High, and graduated from Billings West High with the class on 1988. He attended Montana Tech and received his Associated Degree in Computer Assisted Drafting from Northern Montana College in Havre. He worked for engineering firms designing municipal water systems and transportation systems. He married Ginger Haberreiter on December 29, 1990. They have one child, Michelle, age 7. He was currently in the process of relocating to Billings to be closer to family and he was looking forward to teaching his daughter to play tennis this summer.

Edward enjoyed camping and fishing at Lake Mary Ronan. He was an accomplished fisherman and took pride in being able to "outfish" he dad and his brother. His dad always said that Ed could catch a fish out of a mud puddle. As a youngster, he loved taking trips with his family to Cranford, Alberta to visit relatives a his grandparents' farm. Ed was an avid hockey fan, having played hockey in his youth. He dearly loved his dog Casper, who also died in the accident.

Edward is survived by his daughter Michelle and her mother, Ginger, of Billings; his mother, Lydia McDermott of Billings; his father and stepmother, Robert and Mary McDermott of Billings; sister, Joanne (Barry) Fritchman; and nephew and niece, Brian and Katie Fritchman of Lake Forest, CA; brother, Patrick of Oklahoma City; aunts, Jeri Albro of Deer Lodge, Frances Simek of Lethbridge, Alberta, Mary LaRance (Andy) of Great Falls, Jeannine Berst (Galen) of Billings, Joan Bummer (Lee) of Missoula, Margaret Olson (Harvey) of Missoula, Dorothy Myers (John) of Boulder, CO; and many cousins in the U.S. and Alberta, Canada. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Mary and Josef Vajdik and parental grandparents, Gladys and James McDermott.

"Edward, you were loved in life and our love for you only grows. Your loss has left a hole in our hearts that we'll carry for the rest of our days. May God be with you ‘til we meet again."

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at St. Pius X Church. Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Michelotti-Sawyers is in charge of arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Billings Animal Shelter, 1735 Monad Rd., Billings, MT 59102, or the charity of one's choice.