HANSVILLE — Nearly a year after Chuck Edwards’ death, his memory still lives on through his work as well as his neighbors, friends and family in Hansville.

The well-known volunteer was remembered during the Hansville Neighbors Luncheon Nov. 19 as the Hansville Community Center Board honored Edwards as a 2003 Citizen Of the Year. Chuck’s widow, Ginny Edwards, accepted the award.

Hansville Community Center Board first vice president Becky Ellison said when the award program was established late last year, Edwards was one of the candidates chosen. However, he died in December 2002 before he was able to be recognized.

Red Denson, a close friend of the Edwards, reflected on Chuck’s life during the luncheon.

Shortly after the Edwardses retired to the area in 1983, the couple became very involved in the community, Denson said.

After years of community events that took place at the Old Hansville School House, Chuck was instrumental in fund-raising and gathering support for the construction of the Hansville Community Center.

With his background of negotiating and constructing gas stations for 40 years with Chevron, “it was natural for him to be the progressive superintendent for this building,” Denson said.

Chuck was there from start to finish of the construction, Denson explained.

When Chuck was handed the key to the building, he wrote the construction company one check for the entire amount of the building.

The man was also ahead of his time, Denson said, as Chuck proposed the idea of recycling to the Hansville area.

“It was a concept most of us here in Hansville hadn’t heard about,” Denson said.

While an established recycling center in the area didn’t take off as expected, it still introduced the concept to the community. Because of that, Hansville is part of the county’s recycling program.

Chuck also served on the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue Board of Fire Commissioners for 14 years and played a major role in establishing the new fire station on Twin Spits Road, Denson said.

He was a member of the Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary Club and the weekly Koffee Klatch in Hansville. He was also instrumental in turning the Point No Point lighthouse and surrounding areas into a public park.

“I am just overwhelmed,” Ginny told the lunch crowd that stood up and gave her a standing ovation as she accepted the award. “He loved this community. He had 20 years of retirement which was a blessing … and he loved every minute of it.”