Philip J. Edwards, 74

 

Middle Granville – Philip J. Edwards passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at his home.
Phil was born on June 12, 1933 in Granville, the son of Harold J. and Edna (Waite) Edwards. Phil was a 1950 graduate of Granville High School.
Phil and Jean owned and operated Edward’s Market for 45 years until his retirement in 1997. After his retirement, Phil started decided to occupy his time by becoming a substitute bus driver for the Granville School District. He enjoyed the interaction with the children while he transported them to sporting events and field trips. In January 2006, he took the position of Washington County commissioner of jurors, a post he held until June 2007.  Phil was a very committed and active community member.  He was appointed the treasurer for Granville Central School System, which he did from 1960 to 1964.  He was appointed town councilman in 1964 and re-elected to the position until 2003, at which time he declined to run for re-election. Phil was the chairman of the Granville Republican Committee from 1985 to 1998, the chairman of the Washington County Republican Committee from 1998 to 2004,  member of the Granville Rotary Club for 47 years and a past president of that organization, a 24-year member of Penrhyn Engine & Hose Co and past president, chairman of the board of trustees of the Granville United Methodist Church from 2000 to 2003, an assistant Boy Scout master from 1960 to 1964 and manager of a Little League team from 1965 to 1968.  Phil not only was a concerned citizen in the community of Granville, but his kindness extended to a mission trip which he took to Honduras in February of 2000 with his wife Jean and fellow community members. Phil and Jean hosted exchange students through the Granville Rotary Club from 1969 to 1971. One of these foreign exchange students (1971) formed a lifelong bond with Phil and Jean. She was Marianne Warburg, a student from Denmark. She and her husband, Ejgil Brun, and her children, Malte’ and Maiken, are still in touch with the Edward’s family and have been throughout the years.
Rounding out his full life, Phil enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and snowmobiling. He obtained his private pilot’s license in May of 1984.
Phil is survived by his wife, R. Jean (Herrick) Edwards, three children: Gary Edwards and his wife, Denise, of Darien Center, N.Y., Debra Loomis and her husband, Garry, of Granville, and Joseph Edwards and his companion, Priscilla Arglis, of Granville, and her son, Antonio; three brothers: Roger Edwards and his wife, Marilyn, of Albany, Mansir Edwards and his wife, Beth, of Hudson Falls, and Donald Edwards and his wife, June, of Latrobe, Pa., one sister, Joanne Kingsley and her husband, Bill, of Melbourne, Fla., . Phil was  also survived by nine grandchildren: Steven Edwards of Buffalo, Mallory and Maggie Edwards  of Williamsville, N.Y., Justin Loomis of Boston, Mass., and Megan Loomis of Manchester, N.H., Jessica Peat and her husband, Ben, of Colonie, N.Y., and Jenna and Julianne Edwards, both of Granville. In addition, Phil is survived by two Aunts, Carlotta Buxton of Granville, and Geraldine Edwards of Glens Falls, two sister-in-laws, Dorothy (Herrick) Terrio of Lakeland, Fla., and Mary (Herrick) Thomas and her husband, John, of Poultney, Vt., and a brother-in-law, Delmer (Bud) Herrick and his wife, Susan, also of Poultney, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Phil was predeceased by one grandson, William Philip Edwards, a brother-in-law, Jack Terrio, and his stepfather, Ted Brown.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, June 7 at the Granville United Methodist Church on Church Street in Granville with the Rev. Ginny Deyo officiating.  There were no calling hours. Following the funeral service the family hosted a luncheon at The Forum Restaurant on Park Street. in Granville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Phil’s memory to the Granville United Methodist Church or to the Haynes House of Hope, POB 285, Granville, NY 12832.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Robert M King Funeral Home at 23 Church St. in Granville.