Deacon Eugene L. Edwards Jr., a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Rochester for three decades, died May 25, 2020.
Deacon Edwards received a master’s degree from SUNY Brockport in 1953. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army (1954-56) followed by time in the U.S. Army Reserves (1956-62).
He was a high-school teacher and then a professor at Monroe Community College, having served as director of instructional services (1964-76) and department chairman of AV technology (1966-76) before teaching photography, TV production and motion picture making until retiring in 1995.
Deacon Edwards received his diaconal training at St. Bernard’s Institute in Rochester and was ordained May 30, 1987, by Bishop Matthew H. Clark at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
He served at Church of the Good Shepherd in Henrietta from 1987-99 and St. Rose Church in Lima from 1999 until reaching senior status in 2006. After reaching senior status, he continued to help when needed at St. Rose and also St. Paul of the Cross in Honeoye Falls and St. Agnes in Avon.
Since 2003 he served as chaplain for the Rochester Fire Department Protectives, after earlier years of membership (1952-60) and serving as a member of the Spencerport Fire Department (1957-64).
“Deacon Gene was a loving husband and father, a dedicated educator, and a faithful and faith-filled deacon who ministered with humility, always serving others first. His insight, wry humor and shining example are greatly missed,” said Deacon Dick Lombard, who was Deacon Edward’s classmate.
Deacon Edwards was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Karoly. He is survived by daughters, Elizabeth (John) Muller and Karen (Larry) Nobles; son, Paul (Denise) Edwards; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
His funeral Mass, originally scheduled for July 13, 2020, at St. Rose Church in Lima, was postponed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. A new date has not yet been scheduled.
