With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. Ed passed away in his home, after a courageous battle with cancer, on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021, at the age of 83.
He is survived by his wife Audrey, children Michelle and Sherry, grandchildren Sean and Genevieve, Brother Leo (Iris), sisters Rena (Bernie), Blanche, Lucille (Alan), and Irene (Michel), and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Marie-Louise and Leonard Langlois, and his sister Antoinette (Hector).
In his early years, in Saskatchewan, Ed foreshadowed his future skills – He went missing at the age of 5, and was found fast asleep under an old washing machine with two wrenches in his hands. In 1940, Leonard, Marie Louise, and family moved from Saskatchewan to Swan Valley. His mother was a school teacher, and Ed went to school in Novra, Mafeking, Bellesite, and Bowsman.
Ed was always industrious. As a young adult, he worked as a mechanic, on road construction in Northern Manitoba, and later underground in Thompson as a hard rock miner. Eventually, he moved to Winnipeg. One of the first places he worked was at Norm Mitchell’s Nairn Esso, which was when he met Audrey. They fell in love and got married in ’63, and later had two wonderful daughters. Norm sold his garage, and Ed changed jobs to Gateway Publishing. The family moved to Fort Richmond in ‘69, and remained in that area. After his time in the publishing business, he worked as an automotive technician for a number of Ford dealerships in Winnipeg, for over 35 years, making many friends along the way. He provided his daughters with a constant flow of cars, and was always there to help when they had mechanical failings of any sort. He made sure to remind them to buy Ford products only! He also stepped in occasionally with what he called his “bach cooking”. He didn’t have many specialties, but what he did make was always amazing! Perfect Denver sandwiches were a favourite meal.
In time, Ed joined Old Timer’s Hockey, and enjoyed the friendship of his teammates. Ed was a man of many talents and skills. Among his abilities: artist, carpenter, stellar automotive technician, hunter, fisher, and hockey player. He could fix almost anything! He also enjoyed nature and wildlife, and his season tickets to the WHA Jets and Bombers, which he had for many years. Another favourite activity was listening to fiddle music, and attending many of the Festival du Voyageur fiddle events.
Ed took his family on wonderful vacations, including going to the family cottage. He built a motorhome out of a Bluebird school bus, and travelled across Canada from one end to the other. He also went to Nashville and Memphis with Audrey. In his later years, he didn’t enjoy travelling as much, but still went to his beloved fall suppers in Bowsman, and coffee house jamborees in Bellesite, often with his brother Leo.
When his grandchildren came, they gave him much joy. When they were little, he loved nothing better than to teach them how to drive in the battery powered jeep that he refurbished for them.
Ed will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Livestreamed service will take place on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 2:00 pm, available on the Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home Facebook page. You may follow this link to view it: https://youtu.be/emswNR4NUIc
Donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba, or a charity of your choice.
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