Rev. Dr. Edward Joseph Soares passed away peacefully at home on December 27, 2021, at the age of 96 years old.
Edward was born October 2, 1925, in New Bedford, MA, and grew up in New York City. Ordained a Roman Catholic priest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, he attended Gregorian University in Rome for a doctorate in theology. He became the Chaplain at the College of New Rochelle where he met his future wife, Denise Soebbing. They married in 1969, at the United Nations Chapel. Edward and Denise moved from Queens to Baldwin, Long Island, to raise their three children. Edward was a devoted father, and his children will forever cherish how he instilled in them a love of learning, books, and helping others.
Edward worked for the Young Men’s Christian Association for 20 years as Director of Student Counseling. At the age of 65, he returned to full-time ministry, blessed with wonderful experiences at Chelsea Community Church in Manhattan; Fourth Avenue Presbyterian in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn; United Parish Presbyterian Church in Fall River, MA; and Calvary United Presbyterian in Fall River, MA.
Edward will forever be in the hearts of his dear children: Christiana Jones and her husband Jamie, Katharine Lucas and her husband Christian, Michael Soares and his partner Jiff Martin, as well as his beloved grandchildren: Jackson, Sam, and Juliet Jones; Graylin Lucas; Elliot and Robin Soares.
When his wife Denise passed in 2014, Edward moved to the Jones Family Farms, in Shelton, CT, to live alongside his daughter Christiana and her family. He spent his final years at the farm, surrounded by the loving Jones family, as well as his wonderful caregivers, including Lorene Swarni, Santa Santana, Regina Mappa, Sandra Lahey, and others. A memorial service to celebrate Edward’s long life will take place April 23 in the afternoon. Please visit Edward’s listing at riverviewfh.com for more information.
