Edward “Eddie” Banks Mirmelstein, 81, of Newport News, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Warwick Forest’s Keswick Place, surrounded by his loving family.
Eddie was born and spent his entire life in Newport News and was the son of the late Dr. Samuel H. Mirmelstein and Grace Banks Mirmelstein. He was an active and proud member within the Newport News Jewish community and a lifelong congregant member of Rodef Sholom Temple. Eddie graduated from Newport News High School in 1962 and was still very active with his class reunion committee, which planned and held an annual reunion for many years. He endured a health scare his senior year in high school and into his early college years after contracting a strep infection, which spread to his kidneys. He fought through that challenging time in his life to become a proud part of the first graduating class from Christopher Newport College. Many years later, in 2003, his son, Jay, donated one of his kidneys to Eddie and gave him the gift of life for many years.
Eddie spent his entire adult life running successful businesses in the area. First, Eddy’s Fashion Outlet was established in the 70s and operated through the early 90s, with multiple locations in Hampton and the greater Newport News area. His next venture was starting Fun Stuff, Inc. in 1993. With the addition of his son, Jay, in 2001, they together grew the business to be an industry leader in the resort and tourism market. The common theme in Eddie’s success as a businessman was building strong relationships with his customers and employees, who inevitably became great friends. This theme extended beyond business to all facets of Eddie’s life, where his various connections became a network of close friends. He loved sharing stories and funny jokes to whomever would listen, and nothing brought him more joy than to bring his friends and family happiness with his sense of humor and generosity of time, sweet treats, and his big, beautiful smile.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, daughter, Jody Mirmelstein Christensen (Buddy Christensen), and son, Jay M. Mirmelstein; three grandsons, Cole, Blake & Tyler Mirmelstein Christensen; sister, Sandi Mirmelstein Levy (Marshall Levy); three nephews, Eric, Stuart (Susan), & Gordon (Leah) Levy; his companion of recent years, Sandy Pullen and her immediate family; and many close friends and other extended family.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula (a.k.a. Rosenbaum Cemetery), 1817 Kecoughtan Rd, Hampton, VA 23661.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy in the form of contributions to the National Kidney Foundation or Rodef Sholom Temple in Newport News, VA.