Reverend John Francis Edwards

Fr. Edwards was very kind to my wife and me when he interviewed us when I was discerning a vocation to the diaconate. I went on to be ordained in 1983, and now serve at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in North Myrtle Beach, SC. I think of Fr. Edwards often, and his words of encouragement during that interview. God bless him.

Fr. Edwards was my Math and History teacher during my years at St.Thomas Seminary (1974-1978). He was a kind and quiet man who was more than just a school teacher - he was a teacher of life who always taught thru his actions as well as words. May his soul rest in peace.

I was a student at Saint Thomas Seminary High School from 1976-80. I was blessed to have known Fr. Edwards during this time and prior to this from his time as pariochial vicar at Saint Helena's in West Hartford in the mid 1970's. He was a tolerant, patient and decent man. He acted always with the utmost courtesy and grace towards high school seminarians and had a genuine love for U.S. History. He was truly a consumate gentleman and kind hearted person.


I thank God I was fortunate...

Father Edwards was my favorite priest at St. Augustine Church. He had such presences on the altar. He was a comfort to listen to and a wonderful example of goodness and love. I will miss him.
Mary Listro
Coordinator Religious Education
St. Augustine Church

Father Edwards was my teacher at STS from 1972-1976. I remember him with great fondness. My freshman year, he had us keep a journal of algebraic theories which he referred to as “The Saying of Father Edwards.” This was his parallel to "The Saying of Mao Se Tung" (The Little Red Book). One of his favorite responses to a student's complaint was "If you look very closely, you will see a tear in my eye." There was rarely a tear but rather a amused smile. He was quite patient with adolescent...

Father Edwards was a good and holy man. The Church of the Incarnation was blessed by his presence.
Joyce Rossignol

I cannot put it any differently than Father McLean said at last night's Mass for Father Edwards; he was a good, holy, gentle, compassionate, loving Priest. It breaks my heart to lose good Priests' such as Fr. Edwards. I knew him only slightly, as I typically go to St. Mary's in East Hartford, but St. Paul's/St. Augustine's is closer to where I moved; at one Mass a few years ago at St. Ausustine's, Fr. Edwards said at the end of the Mass that there was still a need for an 8th grade CCD...

When Fr. Edwards took over from Fr. Crawford, he had big shoes to fill. And fill them he did, beautifully.
Sincere condolences to Fr.'s entire family.

Fr. Edwards was a great priest and teacher. I remember my days as a student in his class at Saint Thomas Seminary happily. May he enjoy the fruit of his labor with Jesus in heaven.