QUEENSBURY---H. Roger Edwards, aka Papa Smurf, age 88, passed away March 6, 2014 at Glens Falls Hospital. Born Sept. 1, 1925 in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Harold F. Edwards and Elizabeth L. Lansing. One of Roger's first jobs was in the summer of 1942 at Camp Tahawus in the Adirondacks, building cabins for housing when the mining camp was planning to reopen. In 1943, he joined the Merchant Marines. He always loved the sea and has asked that his ashes be sprinkled in the sea after his death. He was discharged in 1946. In 1947, he went to work at Finch Paper, retiring in 1989 as Asst. Maintenance Supervisor. A few days after retirement, he and his brother, Bob, left for Africa to visit his daughter, Joy, who was a missionary living there with her family. They also toured Northern Africa as both were there during the war. Roger enjoyed golfing trips to Maine and was an avid supporter of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren's sports activities over the years. He was a jack of all trades, always willing to lend a hand, teaching and sharing his vast knowledge. In addition to his parents, Roger was predeceased by his wife, Ann Edwards, his son, Jonathan Edwards, and his sister-in-law, Lydia Edwards. Survivors include his two daughters, Peggy McArthur of Queensbury, and Joy Peragallo and husband, Jim, of Thomaston, Ct.; a son, Robert Edwards of Queensbury; his brother, Bob Edwards of Queensbury and Sarasota, Fla.; five grandchildren, Bret McArthur and wife, Holly, of Saratoga Springs, Elliot Edwards and wife, Nicole, of Waterford, N.Y., Jarrod Edwards of Queensbury, Daniel Peragallo and wife, Amber, of Westminster, Mass., and Nathaniel Peragallo and wife, Carra, of Prospect, Ct.; 8 great-grandchildren, Cory and Devin McArthur, Julia, Jake, Josiah, and Naomi Peragallo, and Elizabeth and Bella Peragallo. At his request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. We have chosen to celebrate dad's life rather than morn his death. Please share with us your experiences or relationships you had with dad on his obituary page found at www.bakerfuneralhome.com.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in the spring. The family requests memorial donations be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or to the Open Door Soup Kitchen,47 Lawrence St, PO Box 3306, Glens Falls, NY12801. Condolences may be mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or e-mailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.