Wade Roberts Edwards, of Concord, MA (age 60), died peacefully surrounded by his family on July 4th 2016 following a battle with cancer. Wade was born in Detroit, MI, on April 24th, 1956. He is survived by his loving wife, Aliza, their children Robin (husband Brian), Chad, and Wade "Win", his step-mother Thea, step-sister Thayer, sister-in-law Anne, and many members of the Edwards, Wood, and Winter families. He is predeceased by parents Stevenson L. Edwards and Gloria (Roberts) Wood, brother Stevenson L. Edwards Jr., and step-father Leslie "Mac" McDougal. Wade grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI where he enjoyed sailing on Lake St. Clair and helping care for his mother's many horses. He attended the current University of Liggett School until 9th grade, thereafter he became a boarder at Fountain Valley boarding school in Colorado Springs, CO. At Fountain Valley, Wade played on the hockey and soccer team, skied, and performed in several theatre productions. He made lifelong friendships and remained close with many of his classmates over the years. In 1975 Wade enrolled at the Tulane University, where he studied English, including a one-year Honors program in Cardiff, Wales, and graduated Cum Laude. During his senior year, while teaching beginner sailing, he met his future wife, Liza. They dated throughout her remaining years at Tulane until her graduation, when she joined him in Grosse Pointe. Within a year they were engaged and married June 26th 1982 in Small Point, ME. Wade worked as a sales manager at Edwards Industries until 1986 and general manager of the Quick Connector group at U.S. Plastics until 1990. The following year, in 1991, he received an M.B.A from the University of Michigan. Following this, he operated a management consulting practice, W.R. Edwards Consulting, focused primarily on the automotive industry. Between 1992 and 1996, using his natural eye for business and engaging personal style, Wade rose through the ranks at Pilot Industries. He served as the director of corporate planning, general manager of the plastics and electronics division, and finally as the director of sales and marketing. Wade went on to co-found Tibbitts, Edwards & Associates, a management consulting firm in Grosse Pointe Farms, where he served as a partner until 2002. From 1998 to 2016 Wade served as an esteemed judge for the PACE Automotive News Awards, traveling nationally and internationally to evaluate industry innovations. In 2000 the Edwards family moved to Concord, MA, for Win, born with CHARGE Syndrome, to attend the Deafblind program at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA. From 2002 to 2007 Wade worked as a consultant to several families and firms, providing services from trust fiduciary to strategic planning. Wade lived his life with a spirit of possibility; in 2007 he combined his lifelong passion for sailing with his business acumen and purchased the Boston Sailing Center (BSC). As the managing director he tirelessly sought to improve operational efficiency and, above all, the quality of the member experience. BSC, on Lewis Wharf in Boston, is home to 400 members, over 75 sailboats, and countless sailing students of all abilities. Wade's positive spirit, management savvy, and love of sailing had a remarkable impact on BSC over the past 9 years. Wade served not only as leader, but an active member of the BSC community. BSC staff and members cherished his sense of humor and enthusiastic participation in Tuesday night summer racing, winter 'Frostbite' racing, and countless events with BSC members and staff. He was deeply loved and respected by the BSC community, who knew him as "a true gentleman on and off the water." A lifelong sailor and racer, Wade sailed as a youth at the Grosse Pointe Club, then as a student at Tulane. After graduation, he sailed Snipes, with Liza as crew, at Crescent Sail Yacht Club. From 1990 to 2000 he partnered with his dear friend Colt Weatherston in an Express 27, which they named "Weatheredge", and an Etchells, "Weatheredge II", and raced with much success. After moving to Concord he continued racing Etchells at the Corinthian Yacht Club (Marblehead, MA) and other various regattas nationwide including Etchells North American and World championships. He also began racing Solings and J/24s at BSC. Over the years he competed successfully in various classes across the U.S. and abroad. Wade served as the Commodore of the Small Point Yacht Club (Small Point, ME), where he enjoyed vacationing with Liza's family. Wade touched many lives in the sailing world. He was known to be a great competitor and a gentleman – gracious in victory and humble in defeat. He will be remembered for his infectious smile, quick wit, and heart-warming laugh. Wade was a caring father to Robin, Chad, and Win, born in 1989, 1991, and 1994. Despite a heavy workload and a competitive sailing career, Wade was genuinely present for his family, making time to attend horse shows, hockey games, and track meets. He was a devoted husband to Liza, or "Lamb", making sure every day was filled with laughter and every birthday, anniversary, and holiday was as special as their first. He was adopted into Liza's family, serving as a loving uncle, brother in-law, and son in-law. From quoting Shakespeare, talking Boston sports, providing business advice, playing a smooth harmonica solo, leading a crew to victory, to supporting his wife and children, Wade was a truly a renaissance man. He had so many talents and an enormous heart; it is not hard to see why he was loved by so many. Wade believed strongly in the healing power of nature and worked to share it with people who have limited or no access to the outside world through his many years of service as a board member and treasurer for The Nature Connection, a non-profit organization in Concord, MA. In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to recognize Wade's life through donations to The Nature Connection (www.nature-connection.org) or to the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation (www.chargesyndrome.org), the syndrome affecting his son Win. A memorial service was held Sunday July 10th at the First Parish Church in Concord, Mass.