Warren H. Edmonds

1943 - 2022

Warren H. Edmonds

Epsom, NH - After a difficult battle with Alzheimer's disease, Warren H. Edmonds, 79, of Epsom NH, passed away at his home surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 24th, 2022.

Born in Somersworth, he attended local schools and graduated from Somersworth High School, class of 1961, then continued on to the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1965 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. While employed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, he attended graduate school, part-time, taking graduate level chemistry.

In 1970 he began his 26-year Chemist/Criminalist career with the New Hampshire State Police Forensics Laboratory. As a member of this three-person team, his duties included scene documentation, processing for latent fingerprints, collecting and packaging evidence, photographing crime scenes, attending postmortem examinations for questionable deaths, analyzing evidence and testifying as an expert witness in criminal trials. His ability to explain a complex subject in easily understood terms was extraordinary.

Warren developed and implemented the basic forensics serology methods in the state lab. He was an instructor in criminalistics at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Academy. He participated as a technical advisor in the development of New Hampshire's first standard sexual assault evidence collection kit.

He retired as supervising criminalist over the staff of 15 scientists and technicians.

Having always enjoyed teaching, after retirement he became an adjunct professor at New Hampshire Technical Institute and taught Chemistry and Criminology.

Music played an integral part in Warren's life, bringing him peace and joy. He played numerous musical instruments and sang in choirs, operettas and revues throughout his youth. His tenor sounds enriched the Joyful Blend and the New Rye Congregational Church choir for many years, and the Suncook Valley Chorale for over three decades. He served the SVC in every capacity with dedicated effort, generosity of spirit, and humor.

He was a little league coach, a Cub Scout leader, a 4-H leader and a Sunday school teacher, generally sharing his humor and enthusiasm for science.

Warren met his wife, Constance (Gagnon) Edmonds, on the first day of school in the first grade. They were married for 59 years. Members of his family include a son, Brian Edmonds, of Epsom; daughter, Rebecca Lessard and her husband, Joseph, of Bow; and a niece, Cheryl Sexton-Lemay, of Colorado. Warren was predeceased by his parents Myron and Bertha (Jacques) Edmonds; a sister, Anne Savage; and niece, Christina Savage.

The family wishes to thank nurse navigators Brenda and Angie for their guidance. We express our heartfelt thanks for the Amedisys hospice team of Tanya, Toni, Linda, and Kris for Warren's immediate admission into hospice. Your invaluable care was appreciated.

Calling hours will take place at the Roan Family Funeral Home - Still Oaks Chapel, 1717 Suncook Valley Highway in EPSOM, on Saturday, January 21st, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life memorial service at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider making contributions in Warren's honor to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org, or to the Suncook Valley Chorale, www.svcnh.org. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com.