David F. Edwards, 89, of Essex passed away peacefully on Dec. 31 at Middlesex Hospital, surrounded by his devoted family. He was born in New Haven on March 14, 1929, to H.R. and Carol Edwards.

A 1947 graduate of The Trinity School, New York City, he also attended Trinity College in Hartford, graduating in 1951. In 1956 he married his beloved late wife Barbara Stahl Edwards. A career Army officer, he retired after twenty years as a lieutenant colonel, having also served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Upon David’s retirement from the Army, he earned a master’s degree from Georgetown University, and began a second career as an educational development officer, supporting Yale University and Connecticut College.

During this time, David and his family moved to Essex, where he was a devoted parishioner and member of the vestry at St. John’s Church.

He leaves behind his son and two daughters and their families, Kem Edwards and Deborah Lindstrom of Rhode Island, Mary and Michael Mather of Haddam, and Sarah and Robert Feeney of California, as well as his three grandchildren. He also leaves his brother and sister-in-law R. Kemerer and Phoebe Edwards of New Haven, his brother-in-law Edward Stahl of California, numerous nieces and nephews, and his steadfast companion, his dog Lucy.

His family and friends remember David for his deep Christian faith, passion for the outdoors and summers spent in Friendship, Maine. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 11 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in David’s memory to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries or Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley.