Eric "Rick" Edwards

Eric A. "Rick" Edwards, 81, of New Bedford passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at St. Luke's Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Robin (Petrin) Edwards, with whom he shared 28 years of marriage.

Born in New Bedford, son of the late Lester and Elizabeth (Feeley) Edwards, he was raised in Fairhaven and graduated from Fairhaven High School.

Upon graduating high school, Rick enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Asmara, Ethiopia as a radioman doing Morse code. After serving four years in the Navy, he joined the Coast Guard and was stationed at Governors Island, New York. When he returned home from his Coast Guard duties he joined the United States Postal Service and was employed as a letter carrier in Fairhaven for 40 years until his retirement.

In his retirement years Rick worked as a helping hand at the River's End Cafe where he met Mark and Sue and became instant family.

Rick loved being a snowbird in Florida, sitting in his lanai and enjoying all the wildlife, while also enjoying spending the summers in his backyard in New Bedford. He was a man of few words and was unique in his own way. Rick was an avid New England sports fan and one of his greatest memories was of meeting Luis Tiant at spring training in Fort Myers, FL.

He is survived by his wife, Robin; his son, Todd Edwards (Kathi); his daughter, Jennifer Fleurent (Gary); his grandchildren, Zachary Edwards (Veda), Kobie Edwards (Jenna), Ayden Monteiro, Ava Monteiro; his great-granddaughter, Stevie Edwards; his siblings, Gary Edwards, Bob Edwards, June Langevin; Gail Vieira, and Mary Lee Guillotte; his mother-in-law, Joan Petrin; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his siblings, Carol LaBonte, Patricia Alves, and Carl Edwards.

Rick's family would like to thank the staff at Sacred Heart Home and St. Luke's Hospital for the compassionate care provided to him.

His Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 11 AM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9-11 AM, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please do a good deed for a person in need in Rick's memory. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.