Volton Desmond Edwards

Volton Desmond Edwards passed on September 24, 2021 surrounded by his loving family members at home. The cause of death was cancer. He was affectionately called by a host of names: “Des” “Desmond” “Grandpa “ “Papa”, “Eddie” ,“Mr. Edwards” and “Mr. D” by family and friends near and far. Desmond was born on July 10, 1943 in Bucco Point, Tobago, the most beautiful island in the West Indies. He and his three siblings: Joyce , Albert (Tally) and Eslyn (Merle), his parents Enid Philips and Canarvan “ Henry” Edwards enjoyed a rich and happy childhood of good times with extended family from Delaford. Desmond began his professional career of Ophthalmic Dispensing at Imperial Optical of Canada in Port of Spain Trinidad in the60’s. He met and courted in the early 1960’s the love of his life, Ethel, and then married her on Dec. 10, 1967. As Ethel finished her tour at Expo 67, Desmond migrated to the U.S. He was welcomed by his cousin George Edwards and roomed with cousin Michael “Hollis” Huntley in the Bronx. He and Michael worked at Daughters of Miriam in Clifton, NJ while he continued to complete his optical studies to become an optician. Upon completion of his degree, his wife soon joined him and they made New Jersey their home. He worked at Seymour Pollock Opticians, in Paterson, NJ, then Noble Eyeglasses at Two Guys. He eventually made his entrepreneurship dream come true and opened DESMOND EDWARDS Opticians on 39 Garden Street, in the city of Passaic for over 25 years. After closing the store, he worked at Target Optical (Luxottica) for an additional 17 years before retiring at the age of 77, in 2020. His greatest and many accomplishments are: his two children which he is so proud of, he was a founder of the 1st Ophthalmic Dispensing Program at Essex Community College, owned his own optical business in the city of Passaic, organized the March of Dimes walks 10 years , long time parishioner of St. Anthony’s of Padua of Passaic for 47 years ,was a well-respected, cherished, loved Boy Scout leader for Troop #6 of Passaic or 15 years, one of the first Antioch families at St. Anthony’s host homes youth ministry programs, long time church lector , a member of the new ministry “The Chosen Ones” at St. Anthony and finance Board Trustees for St. Anthony’s. He was an avid traveler of the world, he enjoyed cruising, and he and his wife loved to bring friends to participate in Trinidad and Tobago's renowned Carnival to play mass yearly and experience the beautiful twin islands he so loved. For 45 years he looked forward to the INFAMOUS card night with his best buddy brothers Mikey “Hollis” and Simon which was a 45 year tour . Everyone who knew him knew he loved to eat. He had a wonderful smile, a gregarious personality and welcomed all with open arms and care. He was such a faithful servant of Christ, a dedicated family man to his children and host of nieces, nephews and family members. He was a platinum friend to countless people and a very loving and committed husband to his beautiful wife for 52 years. Desmond was predeceased by parents Canarvan Henry and Enid Phillips, siblings Joyce Philips, Prince Albert “Tally” Edwards, Eslyn “ Merle” Solomon-Hall, cousin Michael “Hollis” Huntly, Stacey Edwards, Uris Cephas and god-daughter Gail Corbin Butler. He leaves his beloved wife Ethel Edwards nee Bourne, devoted father of Renna A. Edwards, and Regan Edwards and his wife Keisha, loving devoted grandfather to Asaiah, Ethan , Cameryn and Xavier. Uncle and great Uncle of Marylin Phillips (Jack), Natalie Jack-Des Vignes and husband of Nigel, Dawn Jack and Clive Jack, (of Tobago) Kurt, Sean, Janell, Lauren, husband Alex Gail, husband Chris, Nadine, Nakeisha, Trinay, Charisse, husband Joe, Derrick, Troy, Tonya Edwards (of Trinidad goddaughter Kendra McPherson best friend and brother Simon Barbosa, wife Lulu, a cousins Dale ,Debbie and Carol and so many, many, family members who called him “Uncle Desmond” . Visitation will be held on Friday, October 1st, 2021 from 5:00pm-9:00pm in Funeraria Alvarez, 66 Passaic Avenue, Passaic NJ. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 2nd, 2021 at 10:00am in St. Anthony's Church, corner of Oak Street & Myrtle Ave, Pasasic NJ. Burial, to follow, at 11:00am in Crest Haven Memorial Park, 750 Passaic Avenue, Clifton NJ.