Edward C Friesen

Edward C Friesen, age 86, passed away on February 24, 2023 in the Royal Jubilee Hospital after a long struggle with cancer. Edward was born on a farm in Medstead Saskatchewan on March 15, 1936, to William Abram and Anna (Pauls) Friesen. He was named after the king.

In 1956 the family was living on a farm just south of Alexander Manitoba when the entire year’s harvest was wiped out in a hail storm. Ed and one of his brothers left the farm to work and send money home. Ed ended up at a smelter in Kitimat, where he was immediately promoted to supervisor because there were no labourer safety shoes big enough for his size 16 feet.

After Kitimat, Ed stayed in British Columbia and studied at UBC, where he earned his bachelor of education and met his wife, Grace McFarland. They were married on August 18, 1961.

Ed and Grace moved to Victoria in 1964 and began work as teachers. His son Dale Edward was born in 1968 and his daughter Bonnie Edna in 1971. Ed taught at SJ Willis, Oak Bay High, and Colquitz Junior Secondary until his retirement in 2001. After his retirement, he and Grace travelled extensively around the western part of North America.

Ed actively believed in Jesus Christ, and planted a church as well as served as a volunteer within congregations and in non-profit groups such as the Gideons.

Ed has worked as a volunteer to help refugees file taxes in Canada for approximately twenty years. Inspired by his mother, who was a refugee from Ukraine fleeing the Russian invasion, he has helped people from many different countries as they become part of the Canadian cultural mosaic.

Ed is survived by his wife Grace, his son and daughter-in-law Dale and Karen, his daughter Bonnie, his brothers Abraham and Alfred, and his sister Helena. He is also survived by Brad, Sue, and Nathaniel MacEachern, Bob, Arlene, Abigail, Evan, and Grace Overman, and Ryan, Melody, Alaric, Quinlan, Everett, Gabriel, and Xavier Taves (chosen family).

Services will be held at Central Baptist Church in downtown Victoria on Saturday, March 11 starting at 2:00 pm. The service will be streamed at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7IOQ46DBfs

Gifts may be given to Operation Christmas Child – Edward Friesen Memorial.