Edwin A. Hayes

Edwin A. Hayes, 60 of Ephrata, passed away suddenly on Saturday, July 9, 2022 as a result of an auto accident.  Born in Coatesville, he was the son of the late Edwina Wilgis Wedgewood and the grandson of the late, Edwin and Mary Elizabeth Wilgis, who he resided with most of his youth. 

He was a Chester County resident for the majority of his life.  He grew up in the Coatesville –Downingtown area and graduated from Glen Mills High School.   He was Methodist by faith. 

He was a machinist by trade working at numerous Chester/Delaware county machine shops most recently on turbines.   He fulfilled his dream of entrepreneurship when he owned Little Eddie’s Pizza shop in Coatesville in the early 2000s. 

He was a talented athlete excelling in baseball.    He played in Caln Little League and Babe Ruth in the late 60s and ’70s where he was part of the iconic Watters Trucking and All-Star teams.  He even had a tryout with the Majors as a catcher, but injuries and life took him on a different path.  Later in life, he played adult softball and his passion for the sport led him back to Caln Little League where he coached his son and daughter’s teams for many years in the ’90s, guiding them to a few District Championships, but more importantly,  he impacted the lives of his players and those around him.    

He always had a sense of adventure and rarely turned down a dare.   He could always find something new and exciting to do off the beaten path.  He loved good food and enjoyed taking long rides to find places to eat.   He enjoyed fishing and boating where he usually wore his captain's hat.  The original annual trips to Punkin Chunkin was a favorite along with riding his motorcycles, especially his Harley where he would sometimes be seen with his “Special Ed” helmet.  He enjoyed Auctions, gardening, and tinkering in his garage.    He was a hard-working and resilient man who overcame so many hurdles in his lifetime and lived life to the fullest.    He came across as having a “Tough Love Mentality” and he had a lack of filter when communicating.   He could make anyone laugh.   He had a unique way of expressing his love, but you knew he cared deeply for his family and friends – He had your back.    All of this combined, have generated stories for us all to tell for generations of  “Big Ed”. 

He is survived by his two children: Danielle Hayes (Nicholas Madrigale), Atglen,  and Edwin Hayes Jr. of Parkesburg; his grandchildren, Kaine Kofroth, Odin Kofroth, Hazel Madrigale, Ivey Madrigale, Jordan Hayes, Edwin Hayes III, Hadley Lilly-Jane Hayes;   his life partner, Nancy Sheller of Ephrata and her children; Erik Sheller, Glenn Sheller, Amanda Sheller, and Kevin Sheller;  and their children Kameron Sheller, Cole Sheller, and Eli Sheller.  He is also survived by his two siblings; Karen Brown of Narvon, and Chuck Wedgewood of Haughton, LA; his two aunts who helped raise him; Deborah Wealer of Coatesville and Linda Newlin of Bedford, TX and a multitude of extended family members and those he considered family. 

A Memorial Celebration will be held on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Parkesburg United Methodist Church, 411 Main Street, Parkesburg, PA 19365.  Visitation from 4 pm to 6 pm and service at 6 pm.

Click here to access the live-stream:  https://vimeo.com/732608305

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the charity of your choice