Reverend Dr. John F. Edwin, Jr. (STH’71,’87)
This obituary was originally published on Brooklawn Funeral Home.
John F. Edwin was born on May 29, 1926, in Agona Bobikuma, in Ghana. His was the eldest of eight sons and two daughters born to John Fuaya Edwin Sr. and his wife Mary Acheampongmaa.
Dr. Edwin came to the United States in 1966 with his first wife, Comfort Janet Edwin (deceased on May 19, 2021). In 1968, they were joined by their four children, having been sponsored by the United Methodist Church. Dr. Edwin and his family served in various pastorates in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Dr. Edwin earned his Master of Education from Hartford University (1969), his Doctor of Divinity from Boston University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1972).
From 1969-1974, he was the Assistant Professor of Education for Providence College.
From 1976-1979 he served as the General Superintendent of Schools for the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Ghana where he managed 96 schools.
From 1981-1983, he was the Consultant to the Ministry of Education for the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) for the US Agency of International Development.
On May 5, 1974, Dr. Edwin received the Legion of Honor Award in Philadelphia, PA in recognition of outstanding service to all people.
On November 28, 1987, Dr. Edwin was consecrated, first Bishop of the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church (the Indigenous African Christian Church) in Winneba, Ghana.
On March 27, 2005, Governor Jodi Rell of the State of Connecticut gave Dr. Edwin, the Outstanding Citizen Award for commitment and dedication to the Community.
Dr. Edwin’s deeds, accolades, and titles, are too numerous to list. He is most proud to be the husband of Rita Bafoa Edwin, father to Kweku Fuaya Edwin (Ghana); Abena Acheampongmaa Edwin (Ghana);Mercy Edwin (Maine); Acheampongmaa Edwin (husband, David Clark) New Jersey; Emmanuel Edwin (London, England); Augusta Edwin (New York); and Rose Edwin (California). He leaves behind several grandchildren including Seidron Snipe and Dyron Snipe II; and numerous great grandchildren including Asomdwee Dickson.
He is survived by his younger siblings; Araba Edwin (Ghana); Anamin Edwin (Ghana); and Paul Edwin (South Africa).
Friends may call Friday June 4th from
12:00 noon to 1:00pm at
Brooklawn Funeral Home
511 Brook Street
Rocky Hill, With
at service at 1pm
Internment will be held at
Rose Hill Cemetery, Rocky Hill