Charles G Edson

Charles Gibbons Edson, 89 of Surf City, NJ climbed the ladder to heaven early the morning of Thanksgiving Eve. Together, he and his wife of 67 years, Lois Allen Edson, built a legacy of humble, caring and generous devotion to their family, friends and neighbors.
Born in 1932 to Robert and Helen Edson, Charles grew up in the suburbs of Livingston, NJ but always looked forward to visiting his beach and country cousins. He dabbled in all things creative, including a Boy Scout Color TV project with the help of his engineer dad. His teen years found him in studies at Caldwell HS where he was voted the class artist and played football and the clarinet. He then attended Syracuse University School of Architecture where he met and "pinned" his sweetheart Lois. While there, he was active in Zeta Psi Fraternity and especially loved the Greek Life snow sculpture competitions, skiing and skating. After Syracuse, he attended the SUNY School of Landscape Architecture.
Upon graduation, Charles served in the US Army at Fort Sill, OK where he was responsible for designing artillery ranges. After discharge, he and Lois settled in Montclair, NJ where he was Town Planner. He soon joined his college friend Bob Derck at the firm of McCloud and Scatchard Landscape Architects, now Derck and Edson in Lititz, PA. In1984, he and his partners were presented an award by First Lady Nancy Reagan for their design excellence on Lancaster's Stein- man Park of which he was very proud. Recently asked the question of his favorite projects, he quickly replied, "parks and playgrounds.... they make people happy."
Fondly remembered as "dad," his many talents provided an idyllic childhood to his four children. He constructed backyard ice rinks, treehouses, gardens and made equestrian hobbies realities. Coaching Little League Football and teaching Sunday School were also enjoyed. But his creative mind was most engaged as set designer for the many amazing Lititz Ambuc plays and the Lititz Square Nativity Scene.
After retirement, his focus shifted to travel and renovating a Vermont cottage and the beach house so his entire family could gather together. Dubbed by his beach neighbors as "Mayor of Upper Surf City," he was usually spotted tending his gardens, mending the fence, fixing something for somebody, or just chillin' by the firepit with a Big Dipper hot fudge sundae.
To his grandchildren, he was affectionately known as "Grampy" of "Grammy and Grampy's Beach House." Always with a twinkle in his eye, he humored the mischievous pranks of the grandchildren and sometimes even outpranked them. He was their keeper of the cookie jar, fixer of all broken toys, sand castle builder extraordinaire, grill master and guardian of a secretive "favorite granddaughter list", a list that he claimed kept them on their best behavior. And as they married, he and Lois always won longest married dancing couple at their weddings.
Charles is survived by his wife Lois, sister Nancy Crane (Hank) of Hilton Head, son Charles A. Edson of Manchester VT, daughter Donna Felton (Rich) of Lititz, PA, son Peter Edson (Laura) of Waretown, NJ, grandchildren Kimberly, Aubrey, Karlie, Chelsea, Alyson, Kasey, Dane, Ethan and Michael and nine great grandchildren. Their youngest daughter, Lisa Edson passed away earlier this year.
Husband, father, grandfather and friend, Charles will be missed by many. A celebration of his legacy will be planned by the family at a later date. He will be laid to rest within the family plot of Cedar Ridge Cemetery, Blairstown, NJ.
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