Foster Edwards, more affectionately known as "Copperhead", was born in An¬tigua on June 9th, 1924. His father, Man¬ford, or teacher Edwards worked with the Leeward Islands District. Consequently, the family had to be moving from one is¬land to another. As a result "Copperhead" spent much of his youthful years shared between Nevis, Antigua, Anguilla, Montserrat and St. Kitts.

It is said that Foster loved to "fix things", be it bicycles, stoves or cars. He was especially fascinated by cars and learnt to drive at an age much too young to be licensed. He held various forms of employment, working at the Sugar Factory where he kept the tools inventory. He also did shoe repairs and mechanics. In fact Foster became a "Jack of all trades" as well as a master of many.

In 1957, Foster joined the staff of the Shell Oil Bulk Company, where he worked as a delivery man for about six years. Many of us remember the big red oil truck which he drove delivering kerosene oil, island-wide.

On June 11th, 1958 foster married "Teacher Jane", a native of Dominica and settled down to the life of a family man. As his family grew, he sought more lucrative employment and in 1962 he joined the staff of a British American Insurance Company, as a salesman. He had a very successful career as an insurance man, winning a number of awards and was highly respected by his colleagues and policy holders alike.

While Foster loved doing all kinds of things perhaps his biggest hobby or "sideline" was that of fishing.

He had a profound love for the sea and no matter what other job he held he always made time to go fishing or carried persons to pull his fish pots for him. He provided the Green Valley Community and other areas all the way down to Molyneaux with fish, conchs and lobsters on a regular basis. This fondness for fishing was shared with a passionate relationship with the movies, which held a great attraction for him.

His involvement in the movies business provided entertainment not only in Cayon, but also Molyneaux, Tabernacle, Saddlers, Conaree and St. Peters. The business also rented films to Mr. Johnson in Old Road, Mr. Buchanan in Sandy Point and Mr. Jones in Nevis. The rentals also was extended to St. Maarten and Statia.

When Copperhead retired from British American Insurance in 1983, he officially provided a taxi service, which eventually became not only a taxi service but an ambulance service as well. Many can recall that after many a fight, the police would call Copperhead to take the wounded to hospital for treatment. Very often pregnant women have been rushed to the hospital in Copperhead's taxi. Who else would respond to such calls, including those to and from the airport. If Copperhead was too busy or too tired to respond, he would always ensure that transportation would be provided by another driver.

Foster Edwards loved children and fathered seven and adopted several. A family man, a kind, generous, humourous, yet strict disciplinarian. A no-nonsense father of yesteryear. His children are a testimony to that. A community oriented man who gave unselfishly to the people of the Green Valley. It is interesting to note that one night, as a youngster, her got into a fight, after the movies, and was duly nicknamed "Copperhead" - the name of the star in the movie that was just shown. It can be said that his life was a life of service to the community.