Roy C. Edwards, Sr., 89, of Brockton, died Monday, May 17, 2010, at Life Care Center, West Bridgewater, after a period of failing health. He was the husband for 67 years of the late Sophie (Nicewicz) Edwards. Mr. Edwards was born in New Bedford, a son of the late Charles W. and Edith (St. Aubin) Edwards. He was raised and educated in New Bedford and had been a resident of Brockton for the past 47 years.
Roy graduated from New Bedford High School in 1939 and several electronic institutes after serving in the Navy during WWII. He was employed by Cornell Dubilier Electronics of New Bedford as a production foreman before and after his naval service and later in engineering and sales. In the 1960’s he joined an electronic representative firm, JMG Inc. of Norwood, retiring after 30 years as VP, Industrial Sales, but returned as a consultant until ill health forced him to retire.
Mr. Edwards voluntarily enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater in the amphibious forces aboard LST’s and LSM’s earning the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2 battle stars), Navy occupation Service Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal, American Campaign Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.
Mr. Edwards was a member of the VFW Post 1046; life member of the Knights of Columbus, Seville Council; Brockton Library Foundation; the national and state LST and LSM Amphibious Ships associations; Democratic National Committee, and many other civic and charitable organizations. Before his illness he was an avid golfer and loved to walk the sea shores, but later turned to reading and daily walks. He was an active member of St. Edith Stein Parish serving as an usher for many years.
He is survived by his children, Roy C. Edwards, Jr. and his wife Rosemarie “Chickie” and Paula A. Bartorelli, all of Brockton, and James A. Edwards of Bridgewater; his former daughter-in-law Heidi Wunsch of Berlin, Germany; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister Louise L. Hunt of New Bedford and many nieces and nephews. Six brothers preceded Mr. Edwards in death mostly in the greater New Bedford area.
Funeral from the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Friday, May 21, at 8am. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Edith Stein Parish at 9am. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Roy may be made to the American Cancer Society, 5 Manley St., W. Bridgewater, MA 02379, for online donations click here