My dear friend, Ed was an energetic, passionate and comedic soul who lit up my Monday mornings and always put a smile on my face! I used to help him with his workouts at McMaster PACE, where he would fondly lecture me on how to be politically active and being aware of how history has an impact on current events. My favourite quote of his was that “everyone needs to spend at least one night in jail while fighting for the betterment of humanity” as this would put us in the good company of people like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He emphasized how not only world/geographic history, but knowing one's personal family history was beneficial to our sense of identity. He also often told my fellow volunteers that "no self-respecting  student from a Canadian university should finish their undergraduate degree without taking at least one history course...from a Canadian perspective of course :) Ed lived multiple lives in his amazing 84 years on this earth-I was always impressed with his upbringing in the east coast, how he went back to school in his adult years and how he worked and continued to work with the labour union and stay an actively engaged citizen within our community. Ed came into the PACE gym and worked hard every single day-something I was blown away by due to the fact that he was 84 years old and retired and could have stayed home. I admired his work ethic and strove to incorporate his way of living into my own life. However, it was clear that his pride and joy was his family-his wife, kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews-every single one of them. I used to relish his updates about his great nephew's burgeoning hockey career and stories about how he used to play "school" with his great niece. To all of Ed's family members, I send you my deepest condolences, Ed was a wonderful man who very deeply impacted my life for the better. 

Ed, you were not just my client at PACE but truly, my friend. I miss you

To the family and friends of Ed,

For a brief period, I had the absolute pleasure of interacting with Ed at McMaster PACE. Beyond his love of history and politics, what I admired most was his gift for storytelling, and his ability to turn anything into a lesson. I learned so much from him and shared many laughs along the way, and I will always cherish those moments. Ed will be dearly missed.

Ed always brought a smile and story to me at PACE where he could be found working out or socializing with his friends and other students like myself. From telling me about his life growing up to about his friends and family now, no matter what he talked about it was always with a positive attitude. I would look forward to seeing him day in and day out. My heartfelt condolences to all of Ed's family and friends, he was a beloved member of my time at McMaster's PACE program and I will always remember him.

Dear Cynthia and Family,

I'm so sorry to hear about Ed's passing. I had the privilege of getting to know Ed through volunteering at the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) at McMaster. He shared so many stories and taught me so much about history, always encouraging me to take classes to learn more about Canadian history. He brought my friends and me many laughs, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him. Ed's passion and knowledge will live on through his legacy.  I am truly sorry for your loss.

To the family of Edward:

We send our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. May these words of sympathy and understanding bring your family comfort in the loss of your loved one - UW Faculty of Arts

Hi CINDY JUST READ THE OBITUARY. HE WAS TEALLY QUITE A GUY.AND HE CAME FROM MACLEODS HILL.  I HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES. OF HIM AND ALL THE GANG GROWING UP HERE.AW THE GOOD OLD DAYS.MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU CINDY.CALL WHENEVER YOU FEEL LIKE TALKING .LOVE TO YOU AND ALL HIS CHILDREN.I GOT TO SPEND TIME WITH DEBBIE. I THINK SHE SPENT MORE TIME DOWN HERE WITH DAVID AND BRENDAS GIRLS.BE STRONG CINDY.LOVE AND HUGS TO YOU.HELEN MACINTYRE MACPHERSON.

So sorry to hear of Neddie's passing, condolences to the family.  I spend many a summers in Sydney, NS with my sister Margie, (Ned's Mom) and her family.  Being only 4 years older than Neddie we had lots of childhood memories together.  Love to you all, Aunt Chrissie (Coffin) Allen, Port aux Basques, NL.

RIP BIG BROTHER. Words cannot explain how broken I feel, how shattered my heart is. I will love you and miss you always.

I would like to extend my condolences to the Seymour family at this sad time.  I first met Ed in 1974 when he was employed by a union in Toronto.  Over many years, I grew to respect and admire Ed for his dedicated and outstanding work on behalf of workers and their families.  Those efforts improved the Quality of Life of thousands.  As a friend, a dedicated family man, trade unionist and educator, Ed was an inspiration for those who strive to build a better world for all.

Joe Grogan, Retired OPSEU Member, Bolton, Ontario

Cynthia and family, please know that our hearts are with you at this sad time.  Ed has left a legacy any human being would be proud of.  He has touched so many lives through his work, his passion, his kindness,  and the values he modelled through the years I have known him.  He was a man I put on a pedestal.  And he never fell off that pedestal! I will always cherish the memories of working with him.  I know that his spirit will remain with me and all the others who had the privilege of time with him.  I can't imagine the hole he has left in your lives.  We grieve with you.  With my love always, Susan Ney

We have such fond memories of Ed dating back to the 70s when working  together with the NDP and in labour education. 

We are so sorry for your loss.

My deepest Condolences to Cynthia, Ed's family and many friends.
I first met Ed at the beginning of  the 1986 Gainer's strike  in Edmonton.  He was brought in to assist the strikers and along with Kevin Park they were a formidable force of integrity based leadership.  Ed changed my life and that of many others by identifying strengths that we did not realise in ourselves.   
An avid researcher, he spoke his fact based truth and shared his vast knowledge to many.  He will be forever remembered as a humanitarian and a dedicated advocate for worker rights.  
If i could use only one word to describe Ed it would be True.  
He truly loved and valued his family, his friends  and helping others.
Rest in Peace Ed

Love Always,
Renee, Cari-lynn, Clint and Michelle Peevey

Ed’s passing brings back so many memories of   working with him, Peter, Bill, Richard and their colleagues under Fred Pomeroy representing the CWC and its members so long ago. Ed was a class act as so many have said. And so was the union under their leadership. Paul and I were so proud to be their lawyers.  Ed was a wonderful man.

In my previous tribute to Ed, I neglected, in the emotion of the moment, to acknowledge that my wife, Fikret, very much shares my love and respect for Ed and offers her heartfelt condolences to Cynthia and to all of Ed's family. My apologies.

Such sad news. My condolences to Ed's family. I have known Ed over 60 years when we were both Young New Democrats and active in our unions. Articulate and fun loving, Ed was one of the Galt boys. I will miss his commentary on my postings.

I first met Ed when I was a young labour lawyer. Ed taught me much about labour relations, which was more helpful than what I had been taught about the law in law school! Ed was a compassionate man with a very good sense of fairness and practicality. He will be missed by our community. My deepest sympathy to his family and dear friends.

I am deeply saddened by the death of my dear friend Ed Seymour whom I’ve known for more than 45 years.  A fearless warrior for social justice , he provided inspired leadership in the Trade Union movement, led strikes, persued grievances and reflected in every way the inspiration he got from Tommy Douglas founder of the NDP.  Lots of social democrats talk a good game, but when the crunch comes are nowhere to be found.  Ed didn’t just play a good game, he lived and breathed socialism and social justice with his very being.  I admired him tremendously and eagerly anticipated our next  vigorous debate on the contradictions of capitalism and proper union and party responses to the latest injustice.   He will be missed very much, but anyone who took one of Ed union courses or who walked with him on a picket line we never forget the experience and will no doubt be inspired to emulate their mentor.  To Cynthia and all his family my deepest condolences.  I’m sure as per the song from Cape Breton, “he will rise again in the  faces  of his children.”  And grandchildren.   Such are memories of the fearless.

Ed was a historian of Canadian Labour History. His work at UFCW, CWC were testaments to his dedication to enriching the  life of working people. 
Ed will be sadly missed, but never forgotten by those who knew him.
RIP my Brother..

I first met Ed in the early 1970s when I was in  law school and the labour movement was trying to organize banks and respond to “professional strike breaking companies”, which, at the time, were a troubling US import that was later legally banned. (OLRA s. 78).

Our paths later crossed with respect to projects for the OFL; and, as a “union sides-person” on arbitration panels, where he was a delight to work with.  Because he had a wealth of experience and balanced judgement, which helped to solve many problems – including with recalcitrant grievers. 

And he was a welcome check on arbitrators inclined to look at their role solely through a legal lens: because Ed knew that their real job was “how do we fairly resolve this dispute”? 

Not for him (or at least not often), the “political dissent”. Because Ed never felt obliged to parrot “the party line”; he was masterful at threading through the thickets of union politics; and he was always personable, persuasive, and of immense assistance in getting to the best result available in the circumstances. Mostly without litigation. But including unanimous awards that did not go the union’s way.

What is not well known, is that Ed was also  a chronicler and compiler of union institutional histories – an amateur historian of how and why particular worker organizations came “to  be”, and whether they succeeded, or failed in particular settings. So we had lots of good talks.

I have many good memories and am very sorry to hear of his passing.

[I posted the above comment on the web site of the Ontario Labour Management Arbitrators’ Association. He was widely respected in  the  labour relations community and he made a huge contribution - not only to the labour movement, but also to labour relations in Ontario generally. Rick MacDowell, former Chair of the Ontario Labour Relations Board].

It was an honour and a privilege to know Ed. I had the pleasure of working with him on arbitration matters. He was always insightful and constructive, as well as such an interesting person to spend time with. He kindly gave me a copy of his book on Canadian labour history, which has a prominent place on my bookshelf and which I will always treasure. He was an inspiring example of  how to contribute to the world. My sincere condolences to his family.

I worked with Ed when he was the union nominee and I was the arbitrator in many a grievance case.  He was just the best at what he did - such a pleasure to work with!  He always showed up with intelligence, compassion and insight.  

Very sorry he is gone, 

Kathleen O'Neil, Arbitrator/Mediator

I had the great fortune of getting to know and working with Ed when I was starting out as a union staffer.  As a union nominee Ed was a sounding board, instinctively knew when I needed help (even when I didn't) and never shied from advancing the union's case.  A sharp mind together with a warm and engaging approach made him one of my favourites.  He also had a wealth of experience and told great stories.   Ed was union through and through.  Rest in peace Brother.

Fred  Pomeroy
Fellow Retiree from the Union

Dear Cynthia, family and friends,
There are so many things that I loved and respected about Ed.  The day before this past Christmas we were exchanging messages and Ed commented that attending his first union meeting completely changed his life. I knew exactly what he meant because I had been through the same experience in my own life.

When we started working together I couldn’t help but notice that people who met Ed for the first time, quickly came to the conclusion that “he was the real deal!” He wasn’t about pretentions. He was a very intelligent, trustworthy person who brought a formidable level of common sense to representing working people.

Ed was a proud Newfoundlander, with all the charm and happy ways that endeared him to all who had the opportunity to work with him. He will be sorely missed, and leaves a big hole in all of our hearts.

Fred Pomeroy

I remember Ed as a knowledgeable,articulate and friendly nominee on Boards I chaired. I always looked forward to spending the day with Ed. A real loss to the labour relations community. My deepest condolences to the family 
Kevin Burkett

I am very sorry to hear of  Ed's passing. 

I recall him with great fondness, especially when he acted as a Union nominee with integrity and high principles, concurring on decisions that did not always side with a union's wishes, but that made good labour relations sense and/or accorded with the evidence.  He helped many a newer arbitrator, including myself, hone our craft and avoid the many pitfalls that can hurt us through inexperience. 

He was a lovely man.  




https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/hamilton-on/edward-seymour-12258990

As I sit here thinking of Ed words fail me.  I am so sad that we lost him too soon.  I have so many good memories of our times together.   He was such a interesting man.  Dave thought so much of him as I.  Know I am grieving  with you all at this time.  You all will forever be in my heart and thoughts.  Love Brenda

My sincere condolences on your loss of a wonderful husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a highly-skilled and effective labour educator and historian. Ed will remain in my heart and my memory forever.

Ed was a tenacious social justice warrior, a wonderful colleague and a mentor to a generation of labour activists.  His death leaves a hole in our hearts.  He will be remembered.  He will missed.
Gary Cwitco and Fern Valin

When I met Ed I was a young labour activist in the CWC. He was instructing a course at MacMaster.  Ed converted me from a tory to a Social Democrat and guided me and thousands of others over his long and illustrious career. He made so many lives better.  Thank you Brother

Dear Cynthia,family and friends
Ed and I have shared a bond since the early 1980s, beginning when he stepped into the role of Ontario Vice President after Peter Klym’s departure. Though our paths diverged over the years, I’ve always held deep admiration for his unwavering dedication to worker's rights—especially during those intense days of the Graham Cable TV organizing drive and the strike that followed. His courage and leadership during that tumultuous period inspired me to take on new responsibilities myself, and I’ll forever cherish the trust he placed in me.  
What I’ve always treasured most about Ed is the alignment of our values—his passion for justice, his integrity, and his relentless commitment to improving the lives of working people. Even as the years passed, his handwritten Christmas letters remained a bright spot for Krys and me, reminding us of the warmth, thoughtfulness and political passion that define him.  
Our heart aches to know that this chapter has drawn to a close. All of us who’ve walked alongside him through the decades respected him. Please know that Krys and I hold you in our thoughts. 

Richard & Krystyna Long

Cynthia and family,
Ed was a genuine person which is a rare quality and gift not often found the world.  He was kind, fair and brutally honest with a principled stand on all social justice and political issues. This was a recipe for a great friend, brother and mentor to many of us. He cherished his Newfoundland roots.
Treasure the many loving beautiful memories of Ed to help you through the difficult days ahead. 
Love
Denise & Tony Norman

OBITUARY

Edward Elias Seymour

30 July, 1940 – 22 February, 2025

Cresmount Funeral Home - Fennell Chapel

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