Edwin Lewis Orris, age 82, of Waterford, died Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at Edinboro Manor due to declining health. Born in Pittsburgh on March 2, 1930, he was a son of the late Charles and Emma Toboz Orris. He married Patricia L. Burns on July 14, 1956 and she survives.
Ed graduated from Meadville High School in 1947 and enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 15, 1949. He earned his teaching degree from Slippery Rock State Teachers College in 1955, and immediately began his teaching career at Fort LeBoeuf High School. In 1971, he transferred to the FLB Middle School as the boys physical education teacher retiring in 1990. A good-natured man, he smiled and waved as he heard his former students call him ????hysical Eddie???? and quote his class warm-up instructions, ????own around the track, boys!????
Ed was very involved in FLB athletics. He coached the varsity men’s basketball team for several years, including the 1962-63 team which won the Erie County Championship. He was also an assistant football coach from 1955-97. In 1998, Ed was asked to assist at North East “for a few days”. Those “few days” have been 14 years as a volunteer assistant coach. He attended his last game just two weeks ago.
Ed was an Adult Scouter with the French Creek Council Boy Scouts of America for over 20 years. He was an active member and had served as an officer of the Fort LeBoeuf Historical Society, for which he worked tirelessly on the restoration of the Eagle Hotel in Waterford. For pleasure, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, gardening, and playing cards with his family.
He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Charles Orris Jr.
In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by three children: Paul E. Orris of Wattsburg, Louise M. Altman (John Jr.) of Meadville, Janet F. Etheredge (Steve) of Akron, OH and six grandchildren: Miranda Etheredge, Andrew, Craig and Phillip Orris, and Renee and Shane Altman.
Visiting hours will be at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford, on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be at Asbury United Methodist Church in Waterford on Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Gary Donaldson officiating. Burial will follow at Waterford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to North East Athletic Scholarships, Fort LeBoeuf Athletic Scholarships, the Fort LeBoeuf Historical Society, or the National Kidney Foundation.
My sincere condolences go out to Coach Orris’s family. I have always admired and respected him. He had taught me many things on the field that I later used in life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this tough time. Jim Wade
I am so sorry for your loss. I was a student of Mr. Orris in the 60’s at Fort Le Boeuf. I remember him as a very pleasant and kind man.
Dear Pat and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Orris. He was a wonderful man, a great educator and he has touched the lives of so many with his teaching, his coaching, and his scouting. He was a great example for so many! He will be remembered, missed and thought of often.
My thoughts and prayers for you, Pat, and for the entire family. May you find peace and comfort in the Lord and with the many memories of Mr. Orris that will live on in all the people whose lives he touched. I for one, will never forget his smile – it was a contagious one….
May the Lord bless you….
Mary (Waldron) Fields
Pat and family,
Please accept my concolences concering Edwin’s passsing and your loss.
Edwin was a veryy thoughtful and generous person. He was alwys there when you needed him, To couch or to be a great teacheer.
He will be deeply missed, at all those special times of the year. He always made feel right at home, sure made you laugh at times.
Our prayers and thought go out to Pat and the family in your time of sorrow.
Dave and family
Pat and family,
Please accept my condolences concerning Edwin’s passing and your loss.
Pat, Edwin and you are two of the most considerate and thoughtful people I have ever
known.Both of you have had positive influences on the lives of many people.
Sandy and I enjoyed your visits and the time we spent together reminiscing about the
past and getting up to date on current events.
Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Edwin and spending time with him will miss him.
My sincere prayer is that the Lord will comfort you and your family in your time
of sorrow.
jim Boyd – Phoenix, AZ
Classmates since first grade and neighborhood pals for five years, we last visited at our 65th Class reunion this past June 30th. He willl be missed by family and friends. I wish you all God’s peace.
To the Orris family,I am so sorry for the loss of Mr Orris.What a truly great man, teacher, and coach Mr Orris was.I can honestly say Mr. Orris was an inspiration to me and I’m sure many others.Larry Fish