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.

Orris, Edwin LewisEd 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.