Edward Wilson Churchill

June 15, 1912 - April 3, 2012
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Share a Story About Edward Churchill
Please take a moment to share a story of how Edward touched your life, and the times you shared. It may be a specific time, or experience you shared. It may be as simple as sharing what Edward meant to you. Edward's family will be able to save these memories and take great comfort from your words. [ Click Here to Share a Story ].

Dad's Eulogy - April 9, 2012
Posted: April 13, 2012 | Last Revised: April 13, 2012

As we gather here to say good bye to Edward Churchill which brings forth the sharing of many memories of his long and rich life. We his children would like to share a few with you.

When I think about Dad I remember how much a team Mom and Dad were. Mom would be on the front lines and dad would be her foundation. I remember the time when Mom decided I was in a place I should not be so she came and took me home. I was a teenager at the time. As you can imagine I was very upset. I yelled and said some not very nice things and at the end both my Mom and I went in tears to our respective rooms. In a while Dad appears at my door and sits down to talk with me. He tells me the story of how he fell in love with mom and how loving and caring she is. He softly described to me a caring person not the ogre mother I had in mind. He supported her decision as always and helped me to understand how much they cared for each other and me.

We received a lovely note that so well describes dad as he met life and people. This is a note from a friend of one of the grandchildren who visited and met dad for the first and only time last summer.
She wrote:
“He welcomed me into his house. He told me stories of his life, stories of his family, he made me feel as if I were his family. He made jokes and poked fun at me. I walked away from my visit, understanding why each of you have welcomed me into your homes with open arms. I see why/ how you are so strong, caring and amazing people, because Edward was truly those things and he gave you those gifts. “

The memory that Jim would like to share of our Dad is a bit of prophesy he imparted to me when him was a 12 year old.
In Jim’s words:
“ I was being a brat, as I was prone to be at that age, and letting my father know that he knew next to nothing and there was little reason that I should heed anything he might have to say. As he was prone to do, he somehow kept his patience with this insufferable, know-it-all, 12 year old. At one point he calmly played the prophet, saying (and these are close to his exact words), “You know Jim, I think you’ll be a lot like me when you grow older. When I was your age, I thought my father didn’t know anything. As I got older I began to realize that the old guy knew a lot more than I gave him credit”. As the years passed, I’ve come to realize that truer words have never been spoken. As I grew older, I naturally developed a deepening appreciation of my Dad’s famous affability, kindness and generosity. But what has struck me often is his wisdom, something perhaps born of those other very obvious traits. Now, I can honestly say that of all the men I’ve known, or known of, there is no one I respect or admire more than my Dad. It’s his wise example that has helped me nurture my few good traits, and I have seen it do the same for my kids and all his grand and great-grand children. For this, I’ll say, not for the last time, “Thank you Dad and I love you”.

And from all of us – Janice, Anne, Nancy and Jim:

Our Dad was truly one of the most extraordinary men we have ever met. He was kind, loving, gentle and caring. He always had something positive and good to say about others and never uttered an unkind word. He loved children and animals - his own and others. He was a devoted father and husband. He was a role model of dedication to family, and always demonstrated both in words and deeds the great love he had for his children and most especially our mother. He never took credit for the accomplishments of his children and family. He would always say "it was all due to your mother". He loved her so deeply and took every occasion to express that love. It was truly a great love story that lasted for seventy five years (4 of them in a courtship and 71 years of marriage). None of us will ever live up to the example he set. It was a privilege and great blessing to be his children, and, of course, the children of our beloved and recently deceased mother. It is reassuring to know that they are having a joyous reunion in the spiritual realm.