Edward C. Bedner

BOSTON - Edward C. Bedner, 77, of Boston, and formerly of Exeter, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at the home of his sister, Jacqueline Namutka, West Pittston.

He was born on Oct. 4, 1936, and raised in Exeter, the son of the late Edward A. and Julia Busha Bedner. He was a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School. He completed a bachelor's, master's and doctorate in music at Boston University with additional piano study at New England Conservatory of Music. He was a professor of music at Berklee College of Music at the time of his passing.

Edward furthered the careers of very gifted students from around the world, traveling to many countries doing lectures and recitals at regional, national and international conferences on the music of Chopin, Messiaen, Takemitsu, Chen Yi and others. He did extensive public performances in solo recitals, as an accompanist, on television in the Boston area and as a soloist with local orchestras. He was a recipient of a grant for study at Tanglewood Music Center.

For 50 years, Edward generously shared his knowledge and promoted the gift of music internationally through published papers, performing and fine-tuning the skills of his students. Many of his most talented students have continued to further their personal music careers and follow Edwards's varied and valued traditions of teaching and performing.

In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy (Bedner) Warren.

He is survived by his sister, Jacqueline Bedner Namutka, West Pittston; nieces, Karol (Namutka) Anderson, Brigantine, New Jersey, Leigh Ann (Warren) Fury, Wendy (Warren) Goff, Brielle, New Jersey; and nephews, Gary Namutka and his wife, Julia, Plains Township, Scott Warren and his wife, Suzanne, Jenkins Township; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews; family and friends.

A memorial Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Barbara Parish in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 28 Memorial St., Exeter. Visitation for relatives and friends will be from 8:30 a.m. until the time of services in the church. Interment will be in St. John the Slovak Cemetery, Schooley Street, Exeter.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Edward Bedner to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter.

To send the family an expression or an online condolence, please visit www.gubbiottifh.com.