Edward A. Wardwell, longtime resident of St. Thomas, passed away peacefully at his home April 24. He was 79.
A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, all things marine seemed to run in his veins including being on Skate, the first submarine to surface through the polar ice cap at the North Pole. He played a pivotal part in the search for the sunken submarine Thresher prior to ending his Navy career. He then founded Seaward Inc. and was involved in many underwater adventures, including a world record deep-sea saturation dive. His company conducted many underwater search and recovery missions and was awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal for the part it played in the recovery of an H-Bomb off Palomares, Spain.
After moving to St. Thomas, his local business ventures included Sun Island Car Rental and the Electric Connection. He continued to participate in start-up companies around the world with a philosophy of finding good people and putting them in jobs that require their growth, and he was an invaluable mentor to many.
Ed’s good deeds were usually behind the scenes, and he made a positive difference in many lives. At his request, there will be no service. He said he would rather have people send flowers to someone they care about who is still living or make a donation to the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (P. O. Box 11790, St. Thomas, VI 00801) earmarked for the Mahogany Run Junior Golf Program. Ed was a no-nonsense, straightforward and very generous man, who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughter, Chaunette Thomas; son, Dale Hall and wife Joyce; brother, Robert Wardwell and wife Regina; sister, Dianne Evans; grandchildren: Brandi and Christopher Thomas, and Stephanie and Shane Hall.
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