DICKINS, Edward Samuel. It is with love and sadness that we announce the passing of Edward ‘Ed’ Samuel Dickins on May 29, 2020 in Kelowna. Ed spent 97 years touching the lives of many and possessed the kind of character honed only through a lifelong commitment to something bigger than himself. He is now at rest with the love of his life and wife of 69 years, Edith ‘Eddie’ Dickins (née Sanborn, d. 2015).
Ed epitomizes the definition of volunteer on behalf of his fellow citizens. Born in Wilkie, Saskatchewan in 1923 to Albert Edward Dickins and Ellen Bessie Burt, the family moved to Kelowna in 1937 where he volunteered for service with the British Columbia Dragoons (BCDs) in July 1940. The captain of a four-man Sherman tank crew, Ed served Canada as part of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps in England, Italy and Northwest Europe including being wounded during World War II. Upon his return to Canada in 1945, he resumed civilian life in Kelowna, married his childhood sweetheart Eddie and together had three children, Ted, Carol and Janice. Ed continued his service with the Army Reserves until his final retirement in 1975.
In his lifetime, Ed has volunteered and served as Commanding Officer with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, President of Branch 26 Royal Canadian Legion, President of the BCD Regimental Association (Whizzbangs), President and Founder of the Kelowna Veendam Sister City Association, Provincial President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Co-Chair of the Kelowna Cenotaph Improvement Project, and Founding Director of the Okanagan Military Museum Society.
In addition to his leadership roles, he was a volunteer veteran representative at Remembrance Day services at 20 seniors homes, spoke to schools about his military service and at citizenship ceremonies with respect to the history of Canada, and assisted in 2016 (at age 93) in the Okanagan Military Museum’s refurbishment of a historic World War I Field Gun. Ed was a long-time docent at the Military Museum and even in his advanced age continued to mail newsletters for the Whizzbang Association in spite of his near blindness.
Ed's hard work, entailing thousands of hours of volunteer time, is demonstrated by results such as the Veendam Walk in Kelowna City Park, a new inclusive Cenotaph to recognize locals who paid the ultimate sacrifice, the Okanagan Military Museum, the BCD Mural at the Military Museum, and generations of Canadians that value those who have served their country.
In recognition of Ed spending the last eight decades of his life doing acts of service, he has been awarded some of Canada and British Columbia’s highest honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), the British Columbia Medal of Good Citizenship (2018), and the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers (2018). Each of the awards recognizes individuals who, through exceptional long-term service, have made outstanding contributions to their communities without expectation of remuneration or reward.
Ed was a role model not only in his community, but also in his family. He is survived by his two daughters Carol Burns and Janice Dickins, sister-in-law Jean Rankin, five grandchildren Michael Burns (Tammy), Cathy Burns, Michyl Culos (Sedrik), Carla Culos (Justus) and Blake Culos (Alaura), great-granddaughter Tristina Burns (Justin), great-great-grandson Zayne Edward Hoet, numerous nieces, nephews and honorary grandchildren, and dear friend Ruth Stirling.
A celebration of his life will follow at a later date organized by his family in partnership with the BCDs. In memory of Ed, you may make a donation to the Okanagan Military Museum or the Kelowna Salvation Army.
British Columbia and the lives of many are better because of the compassion, dedication and tireless commitment of Ed Dickins. If success is defined by how others fared because of your efforts, then may you rest easy, Ed. As they say in the BCDs, ‘The objective is secure.’
With enduring love and gratitude.
More About Ed Dickins:
BC Dragoons: In Memory of Capt (Retired) Ed Dickins
Kelowna Capital News: Kelowna resident to receive Good Citizen Award
The Memory Project: Veteran Stories: Edward Dickins
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com Arrangements entrusted to First Memorial Funeral Services, 250-762-2299.
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