Longtime Sunnyvale resident and former city planner Edward Moore died on April 27 of complications from brain cancer. He was 84.

Moore was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., on June 7, 1920. After graduating from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in architecture, Moore served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

After the war, Moore worked briefly as an architect, but then switched to city planning and started his career in the Midwest. In 1965, he and his family relocated to Sunnyvale, where he began a 16-year stint in the city's planning department as a planning officer and later planning director.

During his tenure with the planning department, Moore became a mentor and friend to former Deputy City Attorney Marc Haynes.

"I learned planning law from Ed," Hynes said. "He was an excellent planner and a fine gentlemen."

Hynes particularly remembers the diplomacy with which Moore handled contentious land-use issues. He said Moore was skilled at translating technical language into clear terms.

Hynes added that Moore often referred to the Sunnyvale municipal code as "the Good Book."

"He had a sense of humor," Hynes said.

Moore retired as planning director in 1981 but continued to serve his community. He volunteered at the Sunnyvale Library and was active in the Old Orchard Townhomes Association.

Neighbor Bernard Morais remembers Moore's thoughtfulness and eagerness to help others. Morais and Moore's friendship began while they waited to return to their homes after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.

"He saw a neighbor in need and he was there," Morais said. "He was cheerful--the kind of person that everyone would like."

When he wasn't lending a hand to others, Moore enjoyed spending time with his family. Marcy Voss, Moore's daughter, said he especially liked caring for his grandchildren. "He was really generous with his grandchildren," Voss said. "He helped raise them."

Moore is survived by wife Helene Moore of Sunnyvale; sons Edward Moore of Berkeley and Chris Moore of Burlingame; daughter Marcy Voss of Sunnyvale; and grandchildren Melissa, Brittany and Brandon Voss of Sunnyvale and Gina and Jesse Moore of Burlingame.

A memorial service is planned on May 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 231 S. Sunset Ave., Sunnyvale.