James R. Edwards 87, passed away at his home on March 24, 2025.
Born in Norwich on January 19, 1938, Jim was the son of John and Catherine Mahar Edwards. He lived his entire life in Norwich, attended St. Paul’s School and graduated from Norwich High School in 1956.
On June 10,1961, he married the girl next door, Virginia Anne McCall. It was the highlight of his life. They were married for 63 years and had a loving, adventurous and fulfilling life together. Gin shared many interests with Jim but most importantly she shared Jim’s enthusiasm for the outdoors and travel. Together they toured the United States, visiting all 50. Their adventures included seeing 166 National Parks, and countless National Memorials, Forts and Battle Grounds in both the US and Canada. They also spent 17 winters in Florida enjoying the beach, bike riding and of course the sunshine.
Jim and Gin loved to camp and enjoyed the Adirondacks and in particular Fish Creek State Park where they camped often with family and friends for over 55 years. They also owned a second home at Otter Lake in the Adirondacks for 32 years, where they camped, skied, hiked, kayaked and swam the many surrounding lakes. They met many new friends in Otter Lake, but they cherished their friendship with neighbors Don and Pat Buehler, who were like no others.
An avid hiker, Jim (#1004) had a passion for the High Peaks in the Adirondacks and became a 46er on May 25, 1974, along with his son Kurt (#1005) and Tom Russell (#1006). His daughter Vicki has climbed 34, Jamie 32 and Virginia 7.
An active member of the Norwich community, Jim was one of the co-founders of the Norwich Cyclones in 1971 along with Pete Smith, Frank Mirabito, Frank Canto, Mickey James, Bob Goodrich and Ed Nelson. Jim served as the Norwich Cyclones President for over 44 years. Gin was by his side managing the concession stand. In 1980, the Norwich Cyclones were National Champions with a 28-14 victory over Pennridge, PA, Green Jackets. In 2012, the Cyclone C Team won the New York State team title. In 1985, Jim was named the Mid-Atlantic volunteer of the year. In 2007, Jim was inducted into the Tri-Valley League Hall of Fame and in 2012, was inducted into the Eastern Regional Pop Warner Hall of Fame. Jim served as a Board member and President of the Norwich Family YMCA, a Board member of Guernsey Memorial Library, a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Norwich High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee. In 2014, Jim was honored by the Boy Scouts as the Chenango County Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
Jim had a 37-year career at the Great American Food Store chain, formerly known as Victory Markets, until the company was acquired, and the headquarters were moved to Utica in 1992. He then worked for Chenango Memorial Hospital as Facilities Director until his retirement in 2000.
Jim is survived by his wife Gin and three wonderful children, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sister and brothers-in-law: Kurt and Mary Carol and their children Keegan Edwards (wife Brittany), Jude and Penn; Casey Edwards (fiancée Christy); Kyle Edwards (wife Allie), Lennon and Sullivan James; and Cameron Edwards. Victoria Edwards McElligott and her children Chloe McElligott (husband Niclas Wahiquist), and their child Stella; Darcy McElligott. Jamie (“Hawk”) and Christine Edwards and their children Houston Edwards and Mason Edwards; Jim’s sister, Janet Loeffler of Norwich NY, her children, Rick Loeffler and his wife Joan and their son Sam; Aaron Loeffler, wife Elana and their children Aidan, Colin and Sabrina, and her daughter Katie Gotham, her husband Brandon and their children Gabby, Riley and Luke; his brother-in-law Don Gates of Oxford, NY, Joan Gates (deceased) and their children Kylee Kirby and her husband, Bryce and their children Kennedy, Mckinley and Sullivan, and Andrew Gates, his wife Stephanie, and their children Penny and Ollie; Jim’s brother-in-law Patrick Schlenker and his wife Vicky of Milton, Florida and his children PJ Schlenker and Amy Schlenker Kannon. Jims’s sister-in-law Kathy and Ted Revoir, Norwich and their children Frank, Tom Ryan and Betty Everett Norwalk Connecticut; Jim’s uncle Walt “Denver” Everetts and his wife Betty; Jim’s cousins Tim Mahar, Barbara Hinkley, and Betty Morchex also survive.
Jim also had many close and dear friends along the way, among them Rusty Husted, Sam McClure, Vinnie Shaver, Marty Leahy, Charlie Kane, Frank Mirabito, Bob Goodrich and Pete Smith.
A memorial service for Jim will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 31, at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St. Norwich with Fr. Daniel Caughey officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, financial contributions in memory of Jim can be made to Norwich Junior Football, c/o Kurt Edwards, 149 W Shore Rd., Norwich NY 13815 or Hospice of Chenango County 33 Court Street Norwich NY 13815.