Edwin Thomas McGuigan Jr

Edwin T. McGuigan, Jr. made his entrance into heaven on Sunday, April 7, in the early morning hours. Born on January 23, 1935 in Downey, California to Edwin T. McGuigan, Sr. and Bernice A. McGuigan (both natives of Vermont), he spent his first ten years of life in Connecticut, having accompanied his parents there in infancy.

He returned to California at age 10 and in his teenage years attended El Monte High School. He married Dollie Ruth Sullivan on August 22, 1953 and together they started a family. He is survived by five children: Edwin D. McGuigan of Azusa, CA., Deborah Lynne McCorkell of Covina, CA,. Kathy Faye Wilber of Montrose, CO., William Thomas McGuigan of Visalia, CA., and Laura Ann Ochoa of Fontana, CA. He was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.

Ed became a journeyman painter in his early twenties and enjoyed a long career in commercial and industrial work. He worked for several painting contractors during his career but two of his favorites were Lundeen Coatings and Tony Greco Painting Contractor. Though he was a painter by trade, he felt a compelling call to pastoral ministry after coming to faith in Jesus Christ during his late twenties. He faithfully served in many churches over the years and eventually became the pastor of the First Christian Church of Azusa and later the Azusa Church of the Nazarene.

Pastor Ed lost the love of his life, Dollie, when she succumbed to cancer on January 19, 1990 at the age of 55. He didn’t imagine he would marry again, but he met Maria Christine Martinez while attending the Azusa Church of the Nazarene (before he became pastor), and he and Chris married on August 6, 1994. They shared in the pastoral ministry of the Azusa Church of the Nazarene until the Lord called Chris to His presence just ten years after their marriage.

Ed spent his later years enjoying family here in California as well as Colorado and Cincinnati. He loved music and regularly sang and played guitar. He was an artist and painted many beautiful pieces which are still enjoyed by his family. During his final hours of life, while ebbing toward eternity he sang these words: “When you see me fall asleep, say amen but don’t you weep; I’ve got so many million years that I can’t count them.”