Edward Henry Inglis Orr

Edward Henery Inglis Orr peacefully passed away, with loved ones by his side on July 6th,2022 at the Age of 72, in Nanaimo, BC. He departed while listening to Bob Dylan’s, A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall, at his request… Leaving behind his wife, Vigdis (Olsen) Orr and family. His love, laugh, wisdom, and creative and adventurous soul, will be missed beyond measure.

Ed was born April 25th, 1950, in Edmonton, AB to parents Richard and Helen (Powell) Orr, predeceased. He was raised in Halifax, NS and leaves behind many memories with siblings and their families; Carol Orr (Mac Madiens) of Wolfville; Doug and Scarlett Orr, of Kentville; and Barb and Ken Boulanger of Winnipeg Beach.

Ed studied Fine Arts at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University and focused on Photography. He loved to travel and had spent most of his twenty's exploring the world, while capturing it in photos. He returned home to Canada and moved out West to start his family, raising his children in Chemainus, BC with his wife at the time and mother of his children, Wendy Blondeau and their children Sean Orr and Jessica Orr. Later in life Edward remarried, and spent 30 years with his wife, Vigdis (Oslen) Orr and merged their families to include Michael Kobelka, Christie (Orcutt) White, Cory Orcutt, and Kyle Martin. As a proud papa his also leaves behind his grandchildren; Breanna (Shayne), Brian, Nathaniel, Trenton, Hailey, Dreyden and Brody, as well as his beloved mother-in-law, Eve Olsen.

Ed wore many hats over his lifetime, some of which included in his younger years as a deckhand, silver jewelry maker, tree trimmer, security guard, photographer, and later in life was a small business owner, mill worker, strata member and of course, a talented life-long carpenter who took pride in spending many years renovating and creating his own family home, well helping others build theirs along the way.

He had a passion for family, Christmas dinners, photography, boating, swimming, camping and fishing, music, playing guitar, rocks, gems and fossils, and making anything out of wood. He loved to learn, and he loved nature and all animals, but especially dogs. In his later years he enjoyed time with his wife and their kids and grandkids, RV camping trips and games, gold panning, dock fishing, dog walks, family dinners and morning coffees, with dice and card games on the deck.

Ed was always looking for the bright side, always there for his family, always willing to help and always had a smile for a stranger. He had the ability to pick you up whenever you were feeling down, and full of the best advice, always with shoulder or an ear available to listen. Meanwhile always reminding us to Look for the silver lining in life.

During his final days he remained the eternal optimist, always inspiring others. He would tell his family, and most he talked to, that every story has a beginning, a middle and an end. He would say even though he knew this was the end of his story- this is not the end of everyone else’s. He asked that we try not to mourn our loss so heavy hearted but to celebrate his life.

Ed preferred to be laid to rest privately where the ocean meets the river, ashes returning to the earth, with his family raising a glass of Guinness in celebration of a great life lived. His intelligence, kindness, humour and love will never be forgotten and will live on in those he loved.

If you wish to celebrate his life, please raise a glass yourself and toast to the ambitious man he was - a thoughtful sibling, a kind and loyal friend, a loving husband and a very proud father, stepfather and grandfather.

In lieu of flowers or cards, please note donations may be made in his name to the charity of your choice.