Remembering George W. Edwards

George Warren Edwards, 85, passed away at his home in Point Pleasant Boro on Monday, January 25, 2021, from cancer; his devoted wife Constance (Connie) and loving family were by his side.

He was born in Long Branch, NJ, on September 14, 1935, to Arnold and May (Measley) Edwards, and raised in Metuchen. George excelled at sports, especially wearing #20 as a center for Metuchen High School’s varsity football team. While in school, he developed a talent and a passion for math. He learned about engineering and construction at an early age, and worked as a surveyor in the 1950’s. George continued his education at Monmouth College, where he co-founded Sigma Phi Omega, a math and science fraternity. He graduated in 1961 with a BS in Mathematics. Before graduating, he met Connie in a course that while required, neither were especially interested in. In that class, and during this time, they became inseparable. They were married right after graduation, built a house in Manasquan in 1968 and remained together, devoted to each other and their family, until George’s passing.

Inspired by his mother, who was a math teacher in Woodbridge Township, George began his own teaching career at Wall High School in the fall of 1961. For three decades, he took great pride in teaching Earth Science, Physics and Math, and enjoyed the opportunity to pass on the wonders and relativity of natural science to his students. George and Connie spent a few summers while he was on a scholarship at the University of Wisconsin, graduating with a Masters in Teaching Physics in 1966. After his retirement in 1992, it was not unusual for former students to approach him in restaurants, shops and nearly anywhere in the community. Impromptu conversations usually started with “Hey, Mr. Edwards!!” George was always happy to catch up, and find out how people were doing.

Perhaps more than teaching, George loved the Land Surveying profession, becoming licensed in 1972. After teaching all day, and before grading papers and dinner with his family, George loved topography, stakeouts, locations and anything that was connected to Edwards Surveying, the business that he founded and that his family still continues.

George was predeceased by his parents Arnold and May (Measley) Edwards, by his in-laws Frank and Nan Stearns, by his brother Arnold Edwards, and his beloved son Michael Edwards. His passion for life and his spirit live on in his devoted wife, Connie (Stearns) Edwards; their children and spouses, Steven and wife Amy Edwards, Catherine and husband Brian Wick, cherished grandchildren Benjamin, Alexander, and Matthew Wick, Jake, Elizabeth, Shannon and Kelly Edwards.

George was a good man, a faithful husband and an excellent member of the community. He will be missed by all who knew him, and his legacy lives on in the education he delivered, his passion for physical science and the foundation he provided to his family.

George donated his body to scientific research at Robert Wood Johnson and Rutgers University. A celebration of life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, George’s request is that friends and family make donations to the Ronald McDonald House, one of his favorite charities. Donations can be made at rmhc.org/donate.