85, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 in White Rock, BC following a brief illness.
He leaves his wife of 62 years, Geraldine; 5 children: Patricia (& Lloyd Whelan), Jim (Karen Wiggans), Dianne (Lloyd Anstey), Peter ( Patty Wiggans), Tom (Colleen Wiggans); 8 grandchildren: Tina, Conrad, Heather, Rebecca, Chris, Lucas, Katrina, Zachary; 4 great-granddaughters Kirstyn, Natalie, Matilda and Aurelie; brother Bob (Irene Wiggans); sisters Betty Martz, Darlene (Royden Whitney).
Ed was born in Swan River, Manitoba on September 1, 1925. He was raised in Swan River and Geraldton, Ontario. In 1942, he left home and worked for two years on the Alaska Highway before going to Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and graduating in 1948 with a BSc in Engineering.
He met his Geraldine (Wark, Renfrew Ontario) in Kingston through her brother John who was also at Queen’s. Married in 1948, Ed and Geraldine went out west to BC (Copper Mountain) and then on to Guyana, Quebec, Ontario, California, Australia, Ontario and finally returning to BC in 1997. No moss ever grew under Ed’s feet - 24 homes in 60 years!
Ed spent 32 years with Alcan (Aluminium Company of Canada) until 1983. He continued doing contract work (Inco, Canada Post) before finally retiring in 1990. Ed and Geraldine spent their retirement years managing a heritage Inn in Kingston, Ontario; renovating houses; travelling in an RV through the US; spending time with family at their homes in Tsawwassen and Qualicum Beach, BC.
A private service with Ed was held on January 18 with immediate family members.
If you wish, donations can be made in Ed’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or the Salvation Army.