Mr. Edwin Jacob Forrieter

Ed was born on October 11, 1927 in Bruno, Saskatchewan, becoming the sixth of eight children. He was a self-described wanderer by nature, and proved to be quite independently minded, even from a very young age. Later in life he still recalled his expeditions to neighbouring farms a mile or more away, beginning when he was only three years old. His family would eventually notice that he was missing, and a parent or older sibling would have to be dispatched to find and retrieve him. His childhood was very challenging, particularly after his mother passed away when he was 11, leaving him with primary responsible for the domestic needs of the remaining family members, with perhaps occasional assistance from older sisters who had left home or were in the process of doing so.

He himself left home when he was 17 years old, working for a time in Ontario, and then back in thewest, eventually making his way to Vancouver. It was there that he met Shirley Snuggs, after imploring Shirley’s brother, Bill, to introduce them. They married on March 22, 1951, and raised a family of six children. Ed found employment in a few different professions, including a stint at Standard Oil, before beginning a career as a truck driver, delivering ice cream to various retail outlets, and developing friendships with store owners along his routes. After a few years, he transferred to a position inside the dairy, and in a short time was tapped to be the “head cheese”, managing the production of products such as cottage cheese and bakers cheese. He eventually returned to the ice cream division (much to his kids delight), where he made the mix for the ice cream, eventually becoming one of two production leads. Ed was also the first aid attendant for many years. Throughout his professional life, he worked tirelessly to ensure that the needs of his family where met, even during a brief period of unemployment.

Ed was a consummate handyman, successfully completing major construction projects around the house, such as building a combination carport and sun deck, and a large basement bedroom. He could repair, fabricate or modify almost anything, working almost exclusively for many years with nothing but hand tools. Ed also developed and maintained a lush and substantial garden, which he tended each year with great care, struggling valiantly, and sadly for him, often in vain, to instil the same high level of appreciation for horticulture in his children.

Ed was very active in his church, maintaining a strong faith throughout his life. He was a leader in his local church and in the larger Vancouver area, particularly in financial matters. He was also involved in camp ministry, and enjoyed teaching Sunday School. Whenever and wherever a need was identified in the church, he would strive to serve it.

Ed enjoyed participating in various sports, such as golfing, bowling and curling, even competing in bonspiels well into his mid-eighties and beyond. He was a bowler with the Order of Foresters, and won many trophies over the years. Ed always had a jigsaw puzzle on the go, and enjoyed working through crossword puzzles and Sudoku.

Ed really loved being with his grandchildren. He enjoyed nothing more than rocking the babies to sleep, playing on the floor with them, and of course getting them all wound up just before returning them to their somewhat annoyed parents just before bedtime. The grandkids adored him, and loved it when he would give them swing rides. He taught them to play games, such as crib or poker, and delighted in being around his great grandchildren when they eventually appeared.

Ed is survived by his children Woody (Ingrid), Dave, Glen, Bruce (Judy), Diane (Bruce) and Cheryl (Murray). He is also survived by his grandchildren Michelle, Ryan, Jenn (Nathan), Stephanie (Steve), Corey, Melissa (Colin), Emily, Jordan, Josh, Alex and Adam, his great grandchildren Jordyn, Hannah, Brendyn, Blaise, Simon, Katie, William and Greta, and by his step-grandchildren Breanna (Travis) and Joe, step-great grandchildren Taliya and Ellie, and daughter-in-law Wendy.

He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years Shirley, his parents John and Caroline and all his 7 siblings.

A celebration of life will be held in late spring.