Edward Gerard Cantara

It is with a heavy heart we announce the death of Edward Cantara who passed away on August 20, 2025 surrounded by his family.

Eddie was a lifelong resident of Norwich and held employment at Decorative Screen in the Norwich Industrial Park and was currently employed in Tribal Security at the Mohegan Sun Casino until he was stricken with Cancer.

He was an avid sports lover anywere from the Little League World Series to the NFL and NBA drafts and up until his last days would argue why the Mohegan (WNBA) should have their own practice facility.

Eddie was an Elder in the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation and was proud to receive the Native name of Maze, he loved to Drum and never missed a PowWow.

Eddie is survived by his three children, Jessica Cantara, Andrew (Adrea) Kiernan, and Karina (Jarred) Hutchensen, five grandchildren Angi, Marcus, Kai, Andrew Jr. and Liam.

He is also survived by his three sisters Linda McCall, Valerie Gambrell & Jackie Jarmon, two brothers Demetris Johnson and Philip Barnhill. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins (one of who is Wolf Jackson who took Eddie under his wings and showed him so much about Native Tradition). He also leaves a best friend Chris Marceau.

He was predeceased by his mother Mary (DeBarros) Braxton, father Edward Cantara, brother Andy Braxton and sister Sheila Joyce Braxton.

He was a good soul who fought to the end and he will be truly missed.

The family would like to give a special thanks to our cousin Dennis Jenkins who was there every minute during our hour of need.

To honor Eddies wishes his going home will be private and his ashes will be spread on the Eastern Pequot Reservation at a later date.