Edgar P. Cardwell

Edgar Parmele Cardwell, Jr. died of cancer April 15 at Goodwin House retirement community in Alexandria VA. Ed Cardwell was born in Newark, NJ in 1928 of Dr. Edgar P. Cardwell, Sr. and Beatrice Chandler Cardwell. He attended Newark Academy, and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. He received the B.A. and J.D. from the University of Virginia. Ed then went on active duty in the Army for two years and served in the Army Reserves. Following his service, he spent several years in New York City, receiving the L.L.M. in Trade Regulation as a Fellow in Food and Drug Law at New York University. While studying, he worked part time as stage assistant to Tony Amato, founder of the NYC Amato Opera Company in New York City. After private law practice in NYC, in 1960 he began working for the Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C. He retired from the FDA in 1993 as Deputy General Counsel for Administration. Ed married Janet Cardwell (also her maiden name) in 1961. They lived in Arlington and Alexandria, and had two sons Mark and Hal. Janet died in 1972. In 1979, Ed married Merle Thompson Ed spent many years devoted to the Boy Scouts, active in Troop 129 at Westminister Presbyterian Church in Alexandria. He served in many positions, and was at one time Assistant District Commissioner of the George Washington District. In retirement, Ed took up studio art. He enjoyed water color, but also worked in acrylic, metal and clay. He took many classes at NOVA and the Torpedo Factory. His work was often featured in local exhibitions and in the publications of Goodwin House. He and his wife traveled widely, covering nearly all the continents, with a special interest in Art treasures of the world. He was an active member of the Church of St. Clement, Alexandria VA for over 50 years. Ed is survived by his wife of 37 years, Merle O’Rourke Thompson, two sons, Mark Cardwell (Margaret Bailey) of Pelham Manor, NY and Hal Cardwell (Devin Reese) of Alexandria VA, four step-children, Kelly Thompson of Arlington, VA, Chris Thompson (Trish Cahalan)of Floyd, VA, Peter Thompson (Barbara Millar) of Charlottesville, VA and Kevin Thompson (Tiffany Goodyear) of Redwood City CA. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Sam, Jack, Camila, Owen and Guy Cardwell; Emma Thompson Chaplin, Elise Thompson and Koben Bunnell. A service will be held on Saturday, April, 23, at 10 a.m. at the Church of St. Clement, 1710 N. Quaker La., Alexandria VA 22302 with a reception following at Goodwin House Alexandria, 4800 Fillmore Ave, Alexandria VA 22311. Memorials could be sent to either the Church of St. Clement or The Goodwin House Foundation at the address above.