Edgar R. Wainwright

Edgar Richard Wainwright, aged 91, passed away in Southbury, Connecticut on Friday, April 3, 2026. Ed, as he was known, was born on December 10, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Ida Marie and Edgar Firth Wainwright. Ed served four years in the United States Air Force and earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Ed was a longtime resident of Bridgewater, Connecticut with his beloved wife Vivian, who preceded him in death just weeks before his passing. They were married for 61 years.

Ed had an unwavering confidence and fearlessness that shaped both his professional journey and the life he built with Vivian. Ed had a remarkable four-decade career at IBM playing critical roles in many of IBM’s major software initiatives. Early on Ed was pivotal in the development of the SABRE airline reservation system which earned him IBM’s highest honor, the “OC Award,” in 1968. This prestigious award recognized Ed as the employee who made the single greatest contribution to IBM’s success that year and was personally presented to him by IBM’s CEO Thomas J. Watson Jr. The OC Award became Ed's launching point that would place him key projects involving IBM’s customers in the airline industry. Most notable was serving as a lead engineer for the Amadeus airline reservation system for Europe’s four largest airlines in the late 1980s. During this assignment, Ed and Vivian relocated to Germany and traveled extensively throughout Europe, fully embracing the experience.

After retiring, Ed and Vivian returned to their Bridgewater home dedicating themselves to a life community service and family. This included Ed's two terms on the Region 12 Board of Education where he led the efforts to keep and preserve Burnham School, the elementary school in Bridgewater. After finishing his two terms on the BOE, Ed continued to his mission of protecting the interest and well-being of Bridgewater in Region 12 as an avid writer of op-eds that were routinely published in the local newspapers. In addition, Ed delivered meals for Meals on Wheels and volunteered as a cook for Loaves & Fishes in New Milford.

Ed is survived by his sons, Andy of Stamford, Connecticut, and Mark, along with his daughter-in-law, Laura Wainwright of Lake Anna, Virginia. He was also a cherished grandfather to Jensen, Samuel, Charles, and Emily.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 10:30 am at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Bridgewater. Donations in Ed’s memory can be made to RVNA

To leave an online condolence please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.