It was a fitting tribute for a man who touched countless lives in and out of the Catasauqua area. On Saturday morning, the Catasauqua High School auditorium filled with family and friends to celebrate the life of Dale H. Edwards, who died peacefully June 22 at his home in North Catasauqua.

The memorial celebration began with a piano solo of "Amazing Grace." As the calming music reached every corner of the auditorium, tears slowly streamed down cheeks of many of the hundreds of people in attendance and heads bowed in reflection and prayer.

The Rev. Todd Fennell offered opening remarks and reflections on Edwards. Fennell said Edwards had a magnetic personality that drew him to others and others to him.

"If you met Dale Edwards once, you were his friend," said Fennell. "He made an impression on you that was contagious."

Edwards spent 32 years as a Catasauqua High School teacher of 20th-century American cultures and television and media production and was audio visual coordinator. Many also remember him as an assistant and head football coach and an assistant wrestling coach for the high school.

Fennell pointed out Edwards' love for God, his keen and enduring selfless attitude and his interest in giving to others, particularly pointing out during the last days of his life, when Edwards gave away his personal belongings to others.

"Dale choose the way of generosity," he said. "If you needed anything, he would give it to you and ask, 'Do you need more; do you want more?'"

Ellen Stein spoke on behalf of her family. She said her father, Glenn Stein, and Edwards naturally bonded due to Edwards' ability to "sparkle up any person or event.

"He was a common voice, a confidant," Stein said. "He was brave and kept his sense of humor near the end. Having him part of our lives was a gift."

Edwards died after a battle with brain cancer at the age of 68.

His brother, David, told the large crowd of Edwards' passion for Boy Scouting. Edwards, an Eagle Scout himself, was an assistant leader for Boy Scout Troop 94. David also pointed out how it was Edwards' last task to see his grandson, Max Fisher, attain the rank of Eagle Scout. A few weeks after Max's Eagle Scout ceremony, Edwards passed away.

"He truly knew how to inspire the best in all of us," David said.

Edwards' daughter, Dawn Fisher read a letter she wrote to her father on his 60th birthday. Fisher said her father knew how to have a good time and maintain a cheerful outlook on life, while always putting family and friends first.

"After all these years I still regard my dad with the amazement and pride of an 8-year-old," Fisher said.

Dawn's husband, Philip "Flip" Fisher, spoke of four connections he had with Edwards throughout his life. The fourth and most important, Philip said, was the way his father-in-law lovingly served as a grandfather to his grandchildren. Philip noted the only regret Edwards said he would have in passing away is that he would no longer be able to see his granddaughter Katie dance, and grandson Max play football.

"To Dale: I'll see you when I see you," Fisher said.

Dawn Fisher asked the crowd to pass along the legacy Edwards left behind.

"Be generous with your time, gifts and talents," she said. "Have fun and remember to be cheerful with one another."

Edwards' grandchildren reflected on their relationship with their grandfather after the memorial service.

"He was my mentor," Max said of Edwards. "He's been there for me at every turn since I was a little boy and it's hard to lose him."

"He was a loving grandpop," added Katie.

Following the memorial service, family and friends gathered at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Catasauqua to socialize and reflect further on the life of Edwards.

"You don't get a better dad than him," said Dawn. "He's the best. We were very fortunate."

In addition to his leadership position and activities with Boy Scout Troop 94, Edwards also was an active member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Northampton, where he served on numerous committees. He also volunteered with Catasauqua Community Partnerships and the Catasauqua Food Bank.