Edward John Horembala

Predeceased only two months prior by his wife and life-long sweetheart Patty, Ed’s memory will be treasured by his children Michael (Nancy), Andrew (Jane) and Alison (Alex), and grandchildren Jenna, Daniel and Kaitlynn, his sister Geraldine and brother Jim.

Ed was born in Toronto and raised in Burlington, ON.

As a young person he was passionate about playing sports and eventually went on to play football at The University of Western Ontario. After graduation, Ed spent several months on a grand adventure that he said shaped him as a person, hitchhiking and motorcycling through Europe before returning and enrolling in Law School at Western University.

After law school he and Patty were married, and moved first to Oakville, then to Orillia and then finally to North Vancouver in 1975 where they worked together running a Law practice and raising their three children. Despite the demands of a very busy career, Ed tried to prioritize family times, whether it was a ski trip or loading up the car to go camping. Long work hours often meant he would rush to catch the end of a soccer or basketball game, still in his suit and tie but just in time to watch his kids play.

Through his work, Ed spent a good deal of time in the Yukon sitting as magistrate and he developed a genuine love of the North. When the opportunity came, he and Patty relocated to Whitehorse, where they stayed for 25 years. Anyone who had the opportunity to work with Ed knows how dedicated he was both to his practice and to mentoring junior lawyers. During his career he acted on many prominent files as both Crown Prosecutor and Defence Attorney including multiple appearances before the Supreme Court of Canada. He was appointed KC (Kings Council) in 1990.

Ed and Patty had a shared love of the outdoors and of fly-fishing. Ed’s happy place was wading the clear running waters of the Kathleen and Chilkat rivers in the fall, surrounded by nature. In the long dark northern winters, when he wasn’t working, Ed would be tying flies for the next season or venturing out on cross-country skis with Patty. Their passion for the outdoors is something they have passed on to their children and grandchildren.

Family was central to Ed. His love and support for his kids, grandkids and extended family was selfless and unwavering. He was always a dedicated family man, but a truly new dimension was revealed when he became a grandfather. He was genuinely interested in his grandkids’ lives and his “teddy bears picnic” was legendary. Eventually Ed and Patty moved back to North Vancouver where Ed became a fixture at his grandkids’ sporting events. Rain or shine, Ed would be on the sidelines rooting for them.

In retirement Ed took up volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission as well as the Heart and Stroke foundation. Although his last chapter brought many physical challenges, Ed never lost his keen intelligence, or his characteristic wry sense of humour. He loved to talk politics, sports and world events, especially over a round of his signature Caesars. And if you happened to have a shared funny story or inside joke, Ed found a way to keep it running indefinitely.

He was a man who made an impact; on his profession, on the lives of the many people he acted for, and most all his family. We will miss him very much.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Union Gospel Mission would be appreciated. Union Gospel Mission: https://ugm.ca/