Remembering Edward J. Lane, who died at 86

Edward J. Lane, 86, of Westbury, formerly of Pgh., PA., died on Feb. 2, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Dr. Gloria Lane; loving father of Laura, Maria and Edward; cherished grandfather of Emily and Nicholas Mervosh, and Spencer and William Lane; dear brother of Dr. Robert Lane (Stella); proud uncle of Carole Santa (Lance), Stephanie Santa, Andrea Butz (Brian), Trudy Lane, Robert Lane, the late Kathy Lane, the late Sylvia Lane-Schneider and the late Vicky Lane.

Mr. Lane was a professional actor and director. While in Pgh., he performed in many plays including a children’s play penned by Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and also with Shirley Jones in musicals at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. He went on to perform and direct countless plays at the Youngstown Playhouse before moving to Westbury in 1965.

Mr. Lane performed and directed many summer stock productions across the country and was in several productions Off Broadway in Manhattan. He was also in the movie, The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight with Robert De Niro.

Later in life, Mr. Lane worked at the Arena Theater on Long Island directing and acting in many productions. He also directed several plays at Studio Theater in Lindenhurst, including A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, that starred a young Brian Dennehy.

His love of the theater was strong, but he loved his family even more and was proud of his children and grandchildren.    

Visitation will be held at the Vernon C. Wagner Funeral Home, 125 W. Old Country Road, Hicksville on Friday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass at Holy Family RC Church, 17 Fordham Ave., Hicksville, on Saturday at 9:45 a.m. Interment at Queen of All Saints Cemetery, 115 Wheeler Road, Central Islip.