“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.” -Afterglow, by James Joyce

On the cloudy morning of October 14, our community lost a teacher, friend, colleague, and mentor. Stefan Edgerly passed away after a tough battle with colon cancer. Edgerly had deep connections not only to the city, but to all the people in it.

He was an alumni of Magnolia Elementary, Valley Middle School, and Carlsbad High School. Eventually, he returned to teach at Pacific Rim Elementary and Aviara Oaks Middle School. He touched the lives of all students who knew him, and the memories his students have of him continue to keep his legacy alive.

“He was just a really genuinely nice person,” former student and sophomore Sydnee Kerekffy said, “he made Pac Rim a better place.”

Everywhere he went it seemed as though laughs could be heard and smiles could be found. Edgerly is widely remembered for his kindness, sense of humor and his huge heart. It almost seemed as though a cloud of happiness followed him as he walked.

“Funny, enthusiastic, and kind to everyone,” old friend and coworker Corey Sims said.

When tragedy strikes, we as humans have a choice. We can drown in our grief, or we can bask in memories that we have with them. So the question is whether we spend our remaining time in sadness, or look upon those memories through rose tinted glasses.

Edgerly was a football loving senior at Carlsbad High School when he and Sage Creek History teacher, Ron Cordell met. “I used to call him Lord Edgerly,” Cordell said with a light chuckle, “I used to yell to him ‘Me lord how art thou?’ from across the campus. He would reply with a ‘Doing well my son.’”

In the last few months of his life Edgerly did not want his friends and family to worry about him. “He only wanted us to be happy for him, he told us not to be sad,” says Sims. During his treatment he was constantly surrounded by the love of his friends, family, and students.

He would have said that it’s okay, Sims stated. She hopes that he is having “the best party ever in heaven.”

Edgerly will forever be missed and the loss of his smile will leave a void in the heart of many people. But his memory will always be shared and his legacy will be continued by all the lives he touched.

“I think [right now] he is reflecting on a short life well spent,” Cordell said. On Oct. 29 a celebration of Edgerly’s life was held at Aviara Oaks Middle School that included speeches from his life long friends, family, and even former students.

“He loved every single one of his students. No matter what we did or how we acted,” reflected senior Alex Sonck. “Every student felt the happiness and positivity he brought to class.”

After the speeches a video tribute was played that made people both laugh and cry. It showed pictures of everything from Edgerly dancing during school assemblies to pictures of him as a baby.

After the service, many stayed to eat and talk to Edgerly’s family. Many tears were shed and many hugs were shared.

Carlsbad High School has its own way of remembering Edgerly, with a memorial scholarship in his name. The winners will be decided by Edgerly’s family and CHS. On Nov. 14, a fundraiser was held at That Pizza Place with auction and raffle items. 20 percent of pizza sales that night also went to the scholarship fund as well.

Emily Howard

The support for Edgerly’s family is coming in by the truck load, because that is all we can do; remember and tell the story of a man who changed so many lives.

“This is Stefan’s family. We are Stefan’s family. In some way we are connected because of that one person,” Denny Cooper, Edgerly’s former coach said. “One person, Stefan, a special man that changed all of our lives somewhere.”

If you have a favorite memory with him please share in the comments.