We are heartbroken and in disbelief at his sudden passing in Sudbury, on Thursday, August 31, 2023 in his 84th year.
Cherished husband to Mary Henderson. who still can't believe her good fortune being married to Ed for 30 years.
He loved his girls and was so proud of the women, mothers and professionals they grew up to be.... Shelley Deeth (Bob Deeth) and Lana Henderson (Rich Gough).
Beloved grandfather to Chelsey (Pat Junor), Jake, Griffin and Blake. Great-grandfather to Harris and Cooper. Best Friend to his beloved furry girl, and constant canine companion, Darby.
He will be sadly missed by many good friends and extended family who new him as Edgar, Ed, Dad, Egor, Eddy, Hollywood, Gronk, Papa and Papa Ed.
It's impossible to express in a few sentences the extent to which Ed touched the lives of so many people.
Ed was a proud Ukrainian, born in Sheridan Manitoba and raised on Shaunessy Street in Sudbury. He attended Sudbury Mining and Technical School, and played on the hockey and football teams. Throughout his teen and younger adult years, he was a member of the Sudbury Canoe Club, a decorated athlete who competitively raced throughout the province in kayak and C boat races, as well as playing for the Sudbury Hard Rocks football team. In keeping with his own path in education, he attended University in Colorado to study architecture on a hockey scholarship (and later played hockey for an NHL farm team).
For Ed’s entire teaching career he taught at Lockerby Composite High School, mostly remembered as an architectural drafting teacher with a quick wit, open ear, interesting personality with entertaining stories. Making learning fun was his only goal and he was a favourite teacher of many. He coached the swim team and organized the editing and publishing of countless school year books. His summers were spent drafting plans for houses, commercial projects, decks and additions, and being outdoors in the sunshine. He raised his family in the Copper Cliff, Wembley and Long Lake areas in Sudbury. Ed was always busy with projects on the go, having the tools and know-how to get his never ending to-do lists done; he couldn't sit still for long.
He would often shock his family with his hap-hazard antics, thinking he was invincible and still 30 years old! He was an avid sportsman throughout his life. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, skiing, building, travelling and cooking his famous borscht, spaghetti sauce and Caesar drink concoctions. He was a gun collector and a member of the Sudbury Revolver Club.
Ed was a life force unto himself....He was passionate and had an unmatched zest for life... he lived each day with gusto and bravado and with a true sense of adventure because he was a firm believer that tomorrow is not promised. There was no sport he didn't try, no lesson he couldn't teach, nothing he couldn't build or fix....he was just one of those men that was extremely competent and had success at everything he set his mind to...and his was a creative, intelligent mind. He never ceased to surprise and amaze with his abilities, his knowledge, his sense of humour, his depth of life experiences and his big heart.
He had a mischievous streak and was always up for fun, pranks and surprises! He loved the movies of John Wayne, the music of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Rod Stewart. He loved to tell stories and jokes and when he smiled or laughed, his eyes sparkled.
After retiring from teaching, he began his own design company... drafting plans for houses, commercial projects, decks and additions, and sharing his expertise as an inspector on civil projects in various parts of the province for 25 more years. He really had no intention of relaxing and resting any time soon. He had so many plans and lists of things to do and he wasn't going to let anything slow him down... until his heart made a different decision for him.
Ed was a very spiritual man with a sixth sense that he shared with people over the years, and a deep faith in God and life after death. There is no doubt he is a shining new star in heaven and is keeping everyone entertained and laughing up there while his memory shines on in our hearts and minds. We already will miss him like crazy and will continue to do so until we meet again.
In keeping with his wishes there will be no visitation and no reception following the funeral. A Celebration to honour his life will be held on Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Old Sixth Avenue Golf Clubhouse. (Directly across from the Lively Golf Club)
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St.Patrick’s Church, Walford Rd., Sudbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Pet Save Sudbury or Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre would be greatly appreciated. www.cooperativefuneralhome.ca