Edward Chief Wesley Bearss

Ed, of Assiniboia, Sask. passed away after a lengthy battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on October 12, 2012 at the Assiniboia Union Hospital with Carole, his wife of 51 years, at his side. He is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Alice Bearss, father and mother-in-law, Jack and Mary Dombowsky and nephew Maxwell Glazier. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Carole, daughter Kathy (Bruce) Bradshaw and son Duane (Shelly) Bearss, grandchildren Jay, Torrie and Chase Bradshaw and Jasmine, Justine and Cassidy Bearss, sisters Nadine Browning, Margie Borsheim, Bonnie (Ray) O’Hara, Janette Jannink, and brother Jackson (Jeanette) Bearss, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ed was born in Simpson, Sk. on April 15, 1938. He attended Simpson School until he was 14 years old. Ed was a natural born athlete so was enrolled in Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Sk. where he completed high school and a Bachelor of Arts degree. From there, he went on to complete his Bachelor of Education degree at Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Ed then started his 31 year teaching career September, 1962 in Assiniboia, Sk. at the Assiniboia Separate School. In 1969, the two school systems amalgamated so Ed continued his teaching career at the Assiniboia Composite High School until his retirement in 1993. He taught Physical Education as well as History and English. Over the course of his life, Ed coached hundreds of teams and played, coached, officiated and held executive positions in 14 different sports. His impact with the sports of volleyball, football, baseball and lacrosse, in particular, can still be felt in this community and province today. Ed selflessly gave of himself so others could be better. The only thing he expected in return was a 100% effort. To his students and athletes, he was tough but fair, a mentor and a friend. Giving back what he gained through sports at Notre Dame remained a priority all his life.

In his words, “I am a busy guy but I love what I do and consider myself lucky and happy!” At his retirement, Ed stated, “I have been privileged to see kids grow, mature and gain skills, privileged to build programs with lots of great people, privileged to have had lots of freedom in teaching, privileged to be surrounded by a good community and privileged to have had a very supportive family and wife. Teaching and coaching has given me enormous happiness, lots of memories and great personal satisfaction.”

Baseball was Ed’s first love. He obtained allstar status with the Notre Dames Hounds in the Southern Baseball League from 1954 to 1961. His greatest accomplishment during these years was receiving the League Triple Crown Award in 1957 when he was 19 (most homeruns, most rbi’s and highest batting average, .436, in a single season). During his time in Assiniboia, he played baseball with the Assiniboia Aces and later was the driving force behind the organization of the Assiniboia Twiliters. Ed played 20 consecutive years with the Twiliters and was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame on two occasions for his contributions to baseball: in 1991 as a player/builder and in August, 2012 as a member of the Notre Dame Hounds 1953-58 team.

Sporting and leisure pursuits like fishing, gardening and hunting with his faithful Springer Spaniel, Twister, provided Ed with lots of fun and relaxation, particularly in his retirement years. Ed held his grandchildren dear and made every effort to watch their sporting activities right to the end. To his four sisters, Nadine, Margie, Bonnie and Janette, his brother Jackson and his many nieces, nephews and cousins, he was the family rock whom they respected and admired. To his daughter, Kathy, and his son, Duane, he was father, teacher, coach and friend and he did an amazing job of juggling all these roles with precious family time, his enormous coaching load and many other community commitments over the years. Ed's wife Carole was his constant companion, best friend and biggest fan throughout his life and was his nurse and caregiver in his final years.

Ed Bearss was a man of many interests, who possessed a kind and generous soul, lived life to the fullest and was passionate about people. He had an insatiable love for sports, teaching, family and friends. Our hearts are broken with his passing but we will keep treasured moments close and find solace in the fact that he impacted so many people in his life.