Obituary of Charles E Edwards

Charles E. Edwards, age 82 of Lincolnshire, passed away on February 25th. Beloved husband of Anne Edwards nee Henich. Loving father of Charles L. Edwards, Monica (Al) Giazzon, and Suzanne (late Ralph) Baiocchi. Step-father of Ferne (Ron) Wiesenthal and Bruce (Caryn) Wolf. Adored grandfather of Kristen (Tim) Lila, Brian Baiocchi, Nicolette Giazzon, Natalie Giazzon, Joseph Giazzon, Ben (Chelsea) Silvermintz, Becky (Kelly) Silvermintz, Paul (Lisa) Wolf, Brad Wolf, Julie (Brad) Ganas, Daniel (Dana Hobson) Wolf, and Sophie (Menashe) Gold. Great grandfather of Elijah, Ezra L., Elizabeth, Ezra W., Caleb, Noah, Ethan, Tristen, Penny, Liam, Sawyer, and Conrad. Cherished brother of Pat Stevenson, Leroy Edwards, Dan (Cindy) Edwards, and Jodie (Gary) Peters. Uncle to Jason (Stacie) Edwards, Ryan Edwards, Nick Edwards, Colleen Peters, Diane (Russell) Cappo, and Shelley (Matt) Moore. Great uncle to many others. Charles was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. His father Leroy H. Edwards was a famous All-American basketball player who played at the University of Kentucky and professionally for 12 years for the Oshkosh All-Stars in the National Basketball League which preceded the NBA. His mother, Clara, was a wonderful homemaker and business partner in the operation of their local tavern/lounge. Charles was an excellent athlete in high school and continued to be active, playing softball, tennis, football and golf (8 handicap) late in life. During his senior year he had successful baseball tryouts for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Braves but chose to attend college. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Engineering for two years and then moved to Chicago working as an assistant to field engineers on the All State Insurance building in Skokie, IL and the Homewood Flossmoor High School, Flossmoor, IL. Looking for steady nonseasonal employment, he went to work for Graver-Dearborn Office Furniture and Supply Co. in Chicago and in a few years became a top salesman for the company. While holding this job, he and a partner bought the Cameo Restaurant in Evanston, IL turning the location into a popular European-Continental destination. The Orrington Hotel in town soon approached them and asked if they would take over the hotel’s kitchen and catering operations which they declined to do. In 1963 Charles was recruited by The American Sugar Co Domino Sugar in New York, NY. After flying to Manhattan, NY for a two day interview, he was hired and started his successful career as a Senior Sales and Marketing Representative for the Chicago area and mid-west states. He moved up the corporate ladder quickly becoming a District Manager, then a Midwest Food Service Regional Manager, a National Accounts Grocery-Food Service Private Label Manager and a Regional Director responsible for Domino Sugar Food Service / Grocery Division private label regional sales and marketing, including operations of warehouses, shipping, advertising and brokers located in the central third of the USA. He retired at age 50 but a year later was asked to open a Chicago Midwest Regional sales office for Nyman Mfg. E. Providence, RI. He accomplished that goal successfully and retired at age 54. Visitation Tuesday, March 8th at 10 am followed by an 11 am life celebration mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 10 N Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove. Masks required regardless of vaccination status. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Lawns, Northbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Catholic Charities of Chicago, Jewish United Fund, or the Salvation Army are greatly appreciated.