Jan. 20, 1923 to Oct. 11, 2015
(age 92)
Father, husband, brother and U.S. Navy Captain Ralph Edwards died peacefully Oct. 11 under hospice care in Coupeville, his chosen hometown for the last 30 years.
Born in New London, Conn., boats and the sea would be a big part of Ralph’s life story from the beginning.
His father, Ellery Nash Edwards, co-owned Darrow and Comstock, a well-known and successful ship’s chandlery store in New London. Surmounting the challenges facing youth of his generation, Ralph attended public school in New London, completing high school years at the prestigious Bulkeley School for Boys. He was an active member of the Sea Scouts during those years.
Faced with providing for higher education on his own, and determined to do so, he entered the Brown & Sharpe (Brown University) apprenticeship program, leading to acceptance in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point Class of 1945, in Great Neck, N.Y. Midshipman sea time during WWII (1943-44) was spent as crew and junior officer aboard the supply ship Frank B. Kellogg, including service in the Mediterranean and European theaters .
In 1943, at a New York City social gathering sponsored by the Hotel Pennsylvania, Ralph met the love of his life, Edna May Vare (Daisy), a nursing student from Tuckahoe, N.Y.
Upon completion of his Kings Point schooling, Edna May’s certification as a registered nurse, and the war’s end, they were married in October 1945, at Daisy’s home in Tuckahoe. Together they created and nurtured three sons, Ellery Nash II, Curtis Alan and Christopher Vare, providing values and strengths which empowered them all to lead productive and rewarding lives. All three sons were at their father’s side during his final hours.
Following WWII, Ralph was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer, beginning full time active duty in 1950. His Navy career included additional Atlantic sea time, command of the Radar Picket Ship USS Investigator, and numerous senior staff positions throughout the United States and with the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C.
He retired in 1971 as assistant chief of staff for the 13th District, based in Seattle, receiving the Navy Meritorious Service Medal.
In 1972, shortly after his retirement, Daisy, his wife of 26 years, previously diagnosed with cancer, passed away at the age of 48.
After remarrying, Anacortes and Coupeville became Ralph’s home for the remainder of his life, with home remodeling, boat restoration, photography, amateur radio, world travel and extensive motor camping in the Western United States among his activities. Continued public service included local parks commissions and local Lions Clubs.
He is survived by his three sons; two daughters-in-law, Jeanne Herrera and Sheela McLean; two grandchildren (Ellery/Jeanne) Nicholas Arthur Edwards and Amanda May Edwards; and two younger sisters, Virginia (Fleming) and Cherron (Faulkner).
Per Ralph’s request, no formal memorial services have been planned. An informal gathering of family and friends is being considered for a future date on or near the waters of Admiralty Inlet. Suggested memorial contributions may be to the Coupeville Lions Club and/or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point N.Y.
An intelligent, complex and sometimes perplexing personality, Ralph Edwards was admired and respected by many, and will be missed by all. Using his own favorite words, ”Onward!”
