Edmund George Bray

Edmund George Bray, seaman, logger, pilot, husband, father, grandfather, sailor, explorer, philosopher, and above all, Captain, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 30, 2023 at age 93. Born in Macklin, Saskatchewan, Ed was raised in Warspite, AB and spent much of his life in Langley and Surrey, BC, with brief stints in Alert Bay, Yellowknife and Edmonton.

In 1953 Ed married his beloved wife Juliette, and from there a blessed life ensued with children Susan (predeceased 2017), Patrick, Michael and Catherine, and grandchildren Christopher, Jennifer, Pamela and Patricia. His sense of humour and warm heart will be greatly missed.

(Photo 1 below)

Ed had a varied career; joining the Merchant Marines for the last few months of the War, next trying logging with horses in Maine, and then by 1953 he returned home to start flying lessons at Langley airport. He began his flying career immediately, as the sole pilot with Alert Bay Air Services. He was a pioneer in Canadian aviation, flying in the high Arctic on the DEW line installations as well as providing vital access for isolated communities in the far North. During this time, he had a narrow escape as one of the few pilots to survive a forced landing in the Bering Sea. He also flew for Queen Charlotte Airlines. He ended his flying as a Captain for Pacific Western Airlines, flying a variety of planes including the DHC-Beaver, B-737, DC-3, DC-6, DC-7, and the Lockheed Hercules.

(Photos 2, 3, and 4 below)

His adventures didn’t end there. After early retirement, he took to the seas in the “Del Viento”, a 10-metre topsail schooner which, along with Julie, he sailed to Mexico and cruised throughout the South Pacific, Hawaii, and locally in BC waters, until dropping anchor at Pender Island.

(Photos 5, 6, and 7 below)

Last year Ed was delighted to discover his half-brother Lyall, and half-sister Bonnie living nearby, and made up for lost time getting to know his newfound family. Most recently he and Julie lived in Chilliwack, and then Langley, BC, enjoying spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

(Photo 8 below)

Julie & all his family would like to thank the many medical staff who attended Ed this last year for their exceptional care and patience. The family also wish to extend special thanks to the nursing staff in the surgical care ward at Peace Arch Hospital for their kindness and compassion in his final days.

A service will be held on Monday May 29th, 2023 at 11:00am at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 20676 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC, with a reception following. The Burial will take place at 2:00pm at Surrey Centre Cemetery, 16671 Old McLellan Road, Surrey, BC.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations to the Alzheimer's Society.

(Photos 9 and 10 below)