George Reginald Edwards was born on February 1, 1938 in New York, NY to John and Olga Edwards who came to the United States from the island of Grenada. In addition to his twin sister, Joyce, George had two older sisters Dolores and Janice who preceded him in death. George died suddenly on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Griffin Hospital in Derby Connecticut. He was 77.

George spent his youth growing up in the Harlem River Houses in New York City. Consistent with his lifelong goals in the pursuit o knowledge and to succeed as a Trailblazer; George had fond memories of attending Resurrection Elementary School and was proud to have graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1955. It was during this time that George worked in his fathers neighborhood grocery store, developed and explored his love of music, taught himself to play piano and joined a singing group called The Cavaliers. After the death of his father when George was 15, he worked various jobs to help the family. One of those jobs was at Adler Shoes on 125th Street, where he met Charlie Pinero who became a lifelong brother to George.

After high school, George attended The City College of New York. In 1957, George joined British Overseas Airways, Co. (BOAC) where his college aspirations were put on hold as he was rapidly promoted with increasing responsibilities, a trait that would follow George throughout his career. George's sales expertise and results earned him an evaluation that resulted in his being sent on a three-month trip with explorer Lars Eric Lindbland. The purpose of the trip was to cross Africa from Coast to Coast to evaluate sights to see and places to stay in pursuit of future product offerings.

George met and married the late Patsy Bostick in 1959. They had two children from this union, Lisa Veronica and George Drew. As George's career continued to grow, the family resided in The Bronx, NY, Danbury and Hartford, CT and New Rochelle, NY. The union ended in divorce in 1989. George later met his current life partner and soulmate, Gail C. Bain of NYC.l They lived together for 24 happy and blessed years in Shelton, CT until his death. They were officially married on September 17, 2015.

Following his success at BOAC, George joined PepsiCo in 1964 spending 10 years in a number of key operational and marketing positions of increasing responsibility. This included managing the Diet Pepsi brand and a bottling plant in the Bronx. During this time, George was fortunate to be under the mentorship of Harvey Russell and Dr. Naylor Fitzhugh, two very accomplished marketing executives. George completed his career at Pepsi as Director of Franchise Development for Pepsi International troubleshooting major franchise operations around the world, which provided more opportunities to travel thoughtout Asia and Europe.

In November of 1973 at the age of 35, George was hired by Heublein Inc.. Spirit's Group Hartford, CT. as Vice President and Director of Marketing for its Venture Marketing Company. He was responsible for managing and developing new products and acquisitions. Continuing his rapid rise to success, George was soon promoted to Group Marketing Director in charge of Heublein's largest brands-Smirnoff Vodka, Cocktails, Scotch and Canadian Whiskey lines. George was recognized for managing the most successful merchandising program in the history of the Smirnoff brand.

Seeking to test his entrepreneurial skills, George joined National Black Network (NBN), NYC in 1978 as Vice President of Marketing and Sales. NBN produced hourly newscasts to black own radio stations. He added the title of General Manager in 1980. George's success in rapidly building the business and generating successive years of doubling revenues resulted in his appointment as President of NBN in 1983.l

Throughout his career at BOAC, Pepsi Co, Heublein and NBN, George was recognized as a leader in the field of niche marketing and was an early trailblazer of marketing to minority groups, As such, his expertise was often sought and he was asked to provide insight and thoughts to various media articles about the topic across a broad range of publications.

George retired from NBN in 1990 and settled in Connecticut with Gail while he continued to be sought after for marketing and sales consults. They enjoyed their time together with family and exploring their passion for movies, concerts, social events and love of debate. George continued to have an interest in world happenings and remained well read and versed on emerging marketing trends. He enjoyed his extensive music collection, especially Jazz and never tired of quality TV programming especially on Public Broadcasting Networks. George enjoyed quality in all things reflected in his choice of automobiles and in stereo and entertainment systems and in his beloved collection of pipes and smoking tobacco. Typical of his knowledge of high quality, George held on to these priceless treasures and derived great benefit long after the technology had changed, George was well known for his puttering in the kitchen and his unique way of perfecting his menu choices from hand-dipped coffee to how to broil the perfect steak at very precise temperatures.

George is survived by his loving wife, Gail Bain Edwards (Bainzee) of Shelton, CT; his children Lisa Edwards Clemons (Roy Clemons) And George Drew Edwards; his grandchildren Jessica Booze and Julian Clemons; his twin sister Joyce Edwards Palmer; nieces Dr. Sheila Aird, Joi Gordon (Errol Gordon) and nephew Philip Lewer (Carolina Lewer) and brother Charlie Pinero (Eneida Pnero). In addition, he is survived by his Father-In-Law, Lawrence Bain; his sisters-in-law Linda Day and Barbara Gatison (Lenward Gatison) and his brother in-law Lawrence Bain, II (Patricia Bain). He was also the beloved Uncle and Great Uncle of a host of Edwards and Bain nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents, John and Olga Edwards; sisters Dolores Aird Lewer and Janice Edwards; niece Michelle Aird and brother-in-law Herschel Palmer. All who knew him will miss George, but his legacy and his accomplishments will live on. George was often heard paraphrasing William Wordsworth's...

"...The boy is father of the man..."