Island Falls, Maine - Steven Joseph Edwards passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, surrounded by family at his home in Dyer Brook, ME, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. Born in Island Falls at Milliken Hospital on May 31, 1951, he was the middle of three sons born to Joseph Walker Edwards and Delma Erline (Noyes) Edwards.

Steve grew up in Island Falls on Pleasant Pond. He was raised in the family business: Birch Point Cottages and Campground. Always athletic, Steve was a talented skier, won the state championship with the Island Falls basketball team in 1969, played trumpet, and was an avid golfer and life-long member at Va-Jo-Wa Golf Course. After graduating from Island Falls High School, he attended Husson College in Bangor before graduating from the University of Maine at Presque Isle with a degree in physical education. Steve taught for a decade at Southern Aroostook High School, where he shared his love of sports by coaching softball and girls' basketball. In 1984 Steve retired from teaching to take over the family business with his brothers, Scott and Joey. This continued a now century-long tradition of the Edwards family operating a campground, cabins, restaurant, bowling alley, and outdoor recreation activities on Pleasant Lake. A passionate "snow sledder," Steve snowmobiled his entire life and was pivotal in the construction of the Big Valley Sno Club building. He spent decades helping to build trails and bridges, obtaining landowner permission, grooming, and served as president of the Sno Club for many years. On a blind date at Va-Jo-Wa, Steve met Andrea Qualey. They married in 1975, spending 50 wonderful years together. One of their favorite places was going to River Camp. Steve stayed active in the community, serving on countless boards and associations and volunteering into retirement.

Steve is survived by his wife, Andrea Qualey Edwards; oldest son, Andrew and his wife, Courtney (True), their children, Brynnley and Rory; youngest son, Logan and his fiancée, Katie Dumas; older brother, Scott and wife, Sue, their children, Hilary Clark and Gregory; and younger brother, Joey and his son, Connor. The family celebrates his life with the support of Andrea's eight Qualey siblings.

A funeral service will be held at St. Benedict's Church, Benedicta, 1 p.m. Monday, June 1. Visiting hours start at 12 p.m. before the service and a luncheon after in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Valley Sno Club, P.O. Box 245, Island Falls, ME 04747, or Island Falls Lakes Association, PO Box 63, Island Falls, ME 04747. To share memories and condolences, please visit bowersfuneral.com.