Longtime Enfield Town Council Member Passes Away

ENFIELD, CT — Retired police lieutenant and longtime Enfield Town Council member William "Red" Edgar has passed away, according to an announcement Thursday from town manager Bryan Chodkowski.

Enfield officials were notified of Edgar's passing around 8 a.m. Thursday by his daughter, who said her dad had passed away during the night, Chodkowski said.

"The members of Town Council and all of us at Town Hall who worked with Councilor Edgar are all shocked and saddened by this news," Chodkowski said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Red’s family during this time of loss."

Edgar, 88, served in the U.S. Army shortly after the end of World War II, working at the Pentagon. He began his career in Enfield public service on July 1, 1959 as a patrol officer with the police department. Twenty years to the day later, he was promoted to lieutenant, a post he held until his retirement on April 30, 1994.

He continued to give back to his community, winning numerous terms on the Town Council, first as an at-large representative from 1995 to 1999, and the last eight terms representing District 2, including the Thompsonville section of town.

Mayor Scott Kaupin said, "Red Edgar has a long history of service to our community, both as a police officer and as a public servant on the Town Council. His knowledge, passion, and dedication to Thompsonville and Enfield as a whole will be missed. I send my thoughts and prayers to Red's family, fellow colleagues, and friends."

Fellow Councilor and Democratic Town Committee chair Liz Davis said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time. Red was an icon in Enfield politics and was the ultimate embodiment of Democratic ideals. He served unfailingly with honor and pride as a public servant in many roles, and always kept the best interests of our citizens at the fore. Our hearts are heavy today; this is a tremendous loss for our town."

"In working with Red on the Council, I’ve always found it fascinating how he could instantly provide us with a decade by decade history of a property or place in town," Deputy Mayor Bill Lee said. "It seemed he either played as a kid, or hiked, or helped farm, or patrolled every single nook and cranny of Enfield! He would tell us about the previous owners and their kids, or what kind of store used to be on this corner or that lot. Regardless of what we were discussing in that moment, the Council and town staff would always stop and listen carefully as Red shared a recollection or memory. Mr. Edgar’s Hometown Enfield perspective was thoroughly enjoyable and I valued it."

"Red served his country as a veteran and his community as a police officer and a Councilman," Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said. "He was probably the strongest advocate for veterans the town has ever had in office. He knew the entire history of the town and its people."

Photo credit: Enfield Democrats