GLYNDWR (GLYN) EDWARDS
October 20, 1934 - March 19, 2013
With a heavy heart we announce the passing of a father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and a friend to many.
Glyn was born in Vancouver and grew up in the Lower Mainland in a happy family with three sisters. He was a teenager when he met Deanna who was the love of his life. Glyn was 21 and proudly serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force when they married and started a family.
Glyn enjoyed being a father and was devoted to his family. He was always there for his children and took them camping, gold panning, bottle digging and to car races, air shows and flea markets. He encouraged his children to get into sports and he was always on the field or at the arena to show his support. Glyn played men’s lacrosse while coaching Wayne’s team in a junior division and continued to coach after Wayne broke his leg and left the team. Glyn became an accomplished roller skater when he worked at the Roller Rink as a teenager but turned down a job offer because it meant moving to the United States. He took up archery in his 70’s and he took home 3 gold medals in the Senior Games - and this was after he lost an eye to cancer.
Glyn and Deanna raised their family in Tsawwassen and shared the sadness of losing their son Brian, killed in a car accident in 1984. The loss of Deanna in 2000 was devastating for Glyn, as was the loss of daughter, Bev in 2009 and son, Shawn in 2010.
Glyn is survived by his loving daughter Debbie (Joe) of Parksville and his son and (clone) Wayne (Sharon) of Langley and son in law Michael of Tofino. He leaves behind 6 grandchildren: Jaylene, Tyler, Rhonda, Cory, Michelle and Mandy; and 6 great-grandchildren: Caileen, Jesse, Rylan, Liam, Betty and Raeleigh. He is also mourned by his three sisters: Margaret Marcel of Abbotsford, Grace Hunter of Abbotsford and Nan Gray of Surrey.
Glyn and Deanna moved to Parksville in 1990 and Glyn began working for Fenceline Products. Even after he retired he didn’t leave Fenceline and was still there every morning at 6am to feed the birds and the cats. He was an animal lover, always carried dog biscuits in his pockets and was always feeding (and talking to) deer, squirrels and birds.
Glyn had a great sense of humor. He was outspoken and kind hearted. He was willing to help anyone in need. He took great pleasure searching through his garage - filled with salvaged materials - and he would also find what someone needed.
He had a life that was rich with social gatherings - the daybreak coffee group at Trees restaurant, the early morning group at McDonald,s the evening coffee group at Tim Horton’s, his hunting and fishing trips and his archery group.
Glyn was a great favourite with the ladies and was always getting hugs. No one disputed his nickname of “Good looking Glyn from Parksville.” Glyn always told people he was a ”what if” kind of guy and that was how he approached the final diagnosis of liver cancer.
The family wish to thank Glyn’s doctor, Clare Biglow, loyal friends Trudy and Virgil Fossen and Dave Watson who were a constant support to Glyn and especially in his final illness.
The family held two Celebrations of Life (one in Ladner and the other in Parksville) both of which Glyn was able to attend. Therefore, no service will be held. For those who wish to make a memorial donation the family suggests a contribution the SPCA or The Cancer society.