Obituary of Edward Simons Daniels

Edward Simons Daniels of Dover, formerly of Little Falls, born in Port Chester, NY, died peacefully on April 5, 2017. He was 77 years young. Edward was an active resident of Dover for 55 years, teaching fifth grade at Academy Street Elementary, seventh grade World Geography at Dover Middle School, and public relations director for Dover Public Schools, before retiring in 1995. He loved teaching and touched the lives of many students and their families throughout his 34-year teaching career. He was a proud graduate of Drew University, Class of 1961 and Passaic Valley High School in 1957. Ed shared his love of people and world cultures with his dedicated involvement with American Field Service. Through AFS, Ed welcomed exchange students as they arrived in the United States and was instrumental in helping Dover High School students travel the world as AFS students. Ed’s friends became family as he traveled around the world. Edward had a lifelong love affair with the theater, especially musicals, which was evident throughout his annual involvement in directing the annual Dover High School musical. He was a card-carrying Equity actor, and performed in theater groups throughout Northern Jersey, Long Island, and Vermont. Edward was a man of great faith who dedicated his time and talents to many local Methodist Churches including Mt. Fern Methodist Church where he sang each week in the choir and helped out in the church office. Edward was the devoted son of the late Odaline (Simons) and Leslie Daniels of Port Chester, N.Y. He is predeceased by his dear brother, Robert Daniels, and is survived by his older brother, Gene Daniels, of Tampa, FL. Ed was the beloved uncle of nieces, nephews, many great nieces and great nephews, and a cherished friend to Rob Mains, Paul Breda, Jane Boschen, and many other companions. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, April 9, from 1 to 5 at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 Highway 10, Randolph. A service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 10 at the Mount Fern Methodist Church, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com). Interment will follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dover High School, 100 Grace Street, Dover, NJ 07801 with Ed Daniels’ Scholarship in the memo or Mt. Fern Methodist Church, 443 Quaker Church Road, Randolph NJ 07869.