Martin Edwards

Always optimistic, he used to say “There’s still time and it’s good to have options”. As he was charming the nurses at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, he joked to Kristine “running out of options, running out of time”.

Constrained by the limitations of a 10-year battle with cancer, Martin Edwards lived a socially engaged and creative life. He applied his keen intellect and remarkably innate talents to his profession and his many varied interests. Martin was a software engineer, contributing to the foundations of our modern telephone infrastructure. He had a deep interest in science and a drive to understand how things worked. Martin loved choral music, singing with the Goulbourn Male Chorus and the Ottawa Choral Society. He played guitar, piano, drums and was passionate about handbells. A life-long learner, Martin pursued voice and piano lessons and took pottery and improv courses in the summer. He tried to pursue mastery in all of his interests. His summers always ended with friends at Presbyterian Music Camp.

Martin loved sports; especially hockey, skiing and canoeing. He was a master at tying knots, which was invaluable during trips in the woods.

Martin made friends easily; his enthusiasm was infectious and he had an irrepressible sense of humour that put everyone at ease. He and his wife Kristine cherish(ed) their wide circle of friends and the many camping trips, cottage stays, game nights and dinner parties they shared.

Martin is survived by his wife Kristine, his mother May (nee Flynn), his siblings Alison, Carolyn, Elaine and Glenn, his brother-in-law Taras (Marilyn), and his many nieces and nephews; Stephanie (Dave), Serena (Jesse), Justin, Emily, Kevin, Michael, Niki, Lisa, Lincoln, Harrison, Alex and Lily Rose. Martin was predeceased by his father, Frank Edwards.

Martin’s funeral will be held on Friday May 8th at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 2 Mulkins Street, Stittsville, ON. There will be a visitation at the church starting a 1 pm. The funeral will start at 2 pm. A reception will follow the funeral in the church hall. Guests are invited to enjoy the reception while the family attend the interment at Highland Park cemetery. The family will join the reception immediately after the interment, at which time guests will have an opportunity to share a brief memory of Martin if they so wish.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ottawa Choral Society, or Presbyterian Music Camp - Allison Stewart-Patterson fund