James Russell Edwards

James Russell Edwards, 87, fondly known as Russ, passed away peacefully August 22, 2025 in Lincoln, RI. He was the husband to his late wife June Edwards. James was born in Chicago, IL on October 8, 1937. He was the son of the late Enid Edwards and William Clemens Edwards. James graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago with the class of 1955. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in history at Western CT State University.

As a boy, he enjoyed many family outings with his mom, brother William, and sisters Barbara and Donna. They took annual summer trips to Manitoba, Canada and spent time working on the farm of the Martin relatives.

As a young lad, James had a paper route and worked at Piggly Wiggly. He served in the Naval Air Reserve for two years as a weekend warrior. As an adult, James had a diverse career as a roofer, a florist for Quasthoff’s, drafter and designer for Roto Print, and as a technical writer for radiation detection distribution company Nuclear Chicago.

He moved from Chicago to Ridgefield, CT in 1968 with his late first wife Patricia Healey Edwards. There they raised their daughters, April, Robin and Heather. He was employed as a salesman for x-ray manufacturer Picker Corp in CT, and later as a VP of marketing for LeCroy Research Systems, a manufacturer of mid- to high-end digital oscilloscopes. He also sold real estate for some time. When he retired, he worked for UPS and the U.S. Postal Service with a walking route in Danbury, CT.

James embraced the spirit of travel exploring new places and sights by car, train, boat and plane. He visited all 50 states and over 25 countries on 6 continents. He especially loved touring historic and ancient sites, enjoying a variety of cuisines and capturing many moments through photography, one of his favorite hobbies. The family enjoyed many camping trips to Canada, Kent Falls State Park and campgrounds in Rhode Island. He especially enjoyed family reunions to Ocean City NJ and Hilton Head SC which became a tradition.

James grew up working on old cars with his older brother. His first car was a 1949 Crosley wagon. He also had a 1948 Ford convertible and a 1953 Chrysler convertible. He would often spend hours tinkering in the garage on the weekends and teach his daughters practical life skills like car maintenance. Weekends in CT consisted of running errands with his daughters to the local hardware store, the bakery or watching football. Friday night traditions with the family were spent watching TV comedy shows and eating pizza.

He owned and remodeled several homes in CT including a 1720s colonial and a farmhouse built in the 1840s. He especially loved gardening, landscaping and mowing the lawn. He took pride in each home and treated each as a castle. He and his late wife were active members at Keeler Tavern in Ridgefield, CT assisting with revolutionary reenactments each year. He had a love for animals, big and small and had several dog companions throughout his years. He enjoyed golf, fishing, hiking, tennis, and spending time with his children and grandchildren at the farmhouse. Apple picking with the family became his annual birthday tradition.

In his later years, he went from a part-time snowbird to a permanent resident in Largo, FL where he and his late wife were actively involved in their community and enjoyed outings with friends and relaxing beach time on the Gulf.

James was predeceased by his mother, Enid Edwards (Smith) and father William Clemens Edwards, his wife June DiBetta Edwards (Trull), grandfather James Smith, grandmother Isabel Smith, oldest sister Barbara Johnson, older brother William Edwards, his partner Val Dumbrell, older sister Donna Jummati, son-in-law Pete Van Valkenburg and great granddaughter Makenzie Jean Haupt.

He is survived by his daughter April Edwards-Haupt, her husband Gerry Haupt, daughter Robin Van Valkenburg, daughter Heather Edwards and her partner James Carmignani, stepsons Robert Dibetta and his wife Karen, Christopher Dibetta and his wife Liz, and Peter Dibetta. He is also survived by grandsons Matthew Haupt and his wife Emily, Alex Haupt and his partner Alexa Radson, James Haupt and his fiancé Jane Kayarian, step granddaughter Abigail DiBetta, and two great granddaughters Lillian and Kaylee Haupt. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Michael Jummati, nieces Jeanette Jummati, Julie Jummati, and Christina Kohl and her husband Kevin, and nephews Larry Jummati and his wife Kim, Janet Benhart, Steven Johnson and his wife Cindy and Mark Johnson and his wife Colleen.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on November 1, 2025 at Ridgebury Congregational Church.