Obituary: Peter S. Edwards, Jr.

Peter S. Edwards Jr., age 102, of McMurray, formerly of Bethel Park, passed away peacefully at Paramount Senior Living in Peters Township on June 13, 2023.

He was born January 2, 1921, in Pittsburgh, son of the late Peter Seddon Edwards Sr. and Helen Pinkham. Pete started his education in a one room schoolhouse on Irishtown Road in Bethel, graduating from Bethel High School in 1938. To prepare for college, Pete attended Mercersburg Academy. He graduated from Colgate University in 1942.

As a member of the Greatest Generation, Pete worked hard, serving his country and community well. Pete proudly served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War II, flying a single seat P-51 Mustang; logging 49 combat missions over Europe. He served as the Chairman of the Board of the Pilots of World War II and Vice-Chairman of the American Legion Post 760 in Bethel Park.

After his military service, Pete returned to Bethel Park to work at Brookside Lumber Company, his family’s business. Prior to his retirement in 2020, at the age of 99, he served as President, and Chairman of the Board of Brookside Lumber Company. He founded Brookside Sales in 1957, when he purchased a Wynn Oil Distributorship, and later he became a distributor for BG Products. Pete sold the distributorship at age 95.

He was a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church. He was a charter member of the Bethel Park Community Foundation, and served on the Planning and Zoning Commission of Bethel Park, and served three terms as President of the Bethel Park Kiwanis Club. Pete was an avid golfer and a member of St. Clair Country Club since 1946. As a self-proclaimed “golf nut”, Pete made four holes in one, scoring the last one at age 97. Among many other achievements, he once played fifty-five days in a row. After shooting his age, at 75 he went on to shoot his age or better 103 times.

On March 17, 1944, he married Ruth Hay who passed away in 1999. On April 12, 2013, he married Adeline Bernadette “Tootsie” Veiga Jones Huffman who survives him. Also left behind to cherish his memory are his beloved children; sons: Peter S. Edwards Ill and his wife Starla of Chino Valley, AZ, Mark Edwards and his wife Jeanie of McMurray, daughters: Barbara Lynn Bancroft and her husband Brian of Nashville, TN, and Sue Ann Means and her husband Jim of Bethel Park; as well as 14 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; his sisters-in-law: Helen Hay Wilson and Elizabeth R. Edwards (Frank); and several nieces and nephews. He was blessed with stepchildren: Timothy Kenyon Jones of Bridgeville, Kimberly Jones Miles and her husband Larry of McMurray and Pamela Jones of Canonsburg. Deceased, in addition to his parents are his dear first wife of 55 years Ruth (Hay) Edwards, his brother Frank Leslie Pinkham Edwards and his wife Nancy.

On June 19th, friends and family are welcome from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at Salandra Funeral and Cremation Funeral Service, Inc. 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg (724) 745-8120. A Celebration Of Life Service will be held on Sunday, July 9 at 1:30 pm at Bethel Presbyterian Church with full Military Honors. Interment will be at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Twp.

In Lieu of flowers, send donations to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 2999 Bethel Church Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102, or Royal Palm Presbyterian Church, 6348 Hypoluxo Road, Lake Worth, FL 33463.

To view or extend condolences please visit: www.salandrafunerals.com.

Source: Salandra Funeral and Cremation Funeral Service, Inc.