Walter John Edwards
1917 ~ 2003
Dad left us on September 15, 2003, accompanied by family and friends. He had been in ECU at St. Joseph’s since early August, due to the advance stages of his illness. Dad would have been 86 in November and he will be missed dearly by his family and friends. He was predeceased by the “love of his life” Dorothy and son Gary (Black Bart) his brother George, and sister Sylvia. He is survived by his wonderful sister, Gloria Thatcher (Fred), and his children Gail Nasadyk (George), Georgina Pederson (Cliff), Shelley (Chris) and Shannon (Rick). The grandchildren Doug, Terry, Bill, Jeff, Tracy, Geordon, Graham, Garth, Isa, Hobin, Karlen, and Tenea, will surely miss his tales of days gone by. And all his little great grandchildren, who thought he was the best, Emma, Sophia, Lyndsey, Levi, Amber, Carly, and Alicia, will really miss him too!
Dad was born in “Champion” Alberta. He has lived in the Valley since age 4, and seen the town flourish over the last 80 years into what it is today. We have enjoyed many a tale of days gone by. Dad married our mom on August 21st, 1940. They were married for 60 years, and he tenderly cared for her in her last days, and has missed her dearly! She was the one who usually finished off Dad’s many tales and stories with the proper details, that he couldn’t remember. His tales didn’t quite have the same flair without her input!
Dad worked for 45 glorious years in the logging industry and loved every minute of it! He spent most of his logging days as a “cracker jack”, high rigger for Comox Logging and Crown Zellerback, (a dangerous position that is now no more). He was proud as hell, of that career! Dad topped and limbed trees the “old way”, up until the young age of 75!
After retirement, Mom and Dad enjoyed many summers camping and fishing with friends at Kitty Coleman and Comox Lake. In the autumns, he managed a couple of “Elk” draws. They both loved the lively family gatherings with great homemade and home grown foods from Walts vegetable gardens, telling stories and having lots of laughs. One of Dad’s favorite “holidays” was camp watching for Timber West in various fly-in camps up and down the coast with mom.
Dad was a long time member of the Elk’s Club and Fish and Game, enjoying the friendship, comradeship and activities of these groups. Dad continued going to the upper Elk’s for the Sunday dinners and the cinch games, on Saturdays for awhile, after losing his favorite cinch partner! (Mom)! He was well-known for going “money” in that card game.
His stay at ECU, was short, and it was a difficult family decision, to have him admitted to the ECU, and, not have him cared for in his own home until the end.
He enjoyed the care, and friendships he made with the “Comox Valley Home Care” people, that visited him daily, and we would like to thank you for that. He appreciated you so much, and you were all wonderful and caring caregivers. He looked forward to your visits and enjoyed the stories, you brought to him.
“Thank-you!”
We would also like to thank the various Hospice people, who generously gave him, “your time and companionship”. We would like to thank ALL of the staff at the ECU at St. Joseph’s for your kindness, gentle touch, professionalism and the comfort you provided for his last days and hours. It meant so much to him, and to us, to know he was in such good hands. And “thank-you” Dr. Ptak for helping Dad get through this with dignity and pride, and for assisting him in making all those difficult decisions. We always left your office feeling so much better about everything. You are a pretty good story teller yourself!
Donations made in Walter’s name to The Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.
Service at PIERCY’S FUNERAL HOME, 11:00 AM Saturday, September 20th, 2003. Tea to follow.