Edward John Tisdale

It is with much sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather & Great Grandfather – Ted Tisdale on April 24th, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Ted is predeceased by his loving parents (Ted Sr. and Joan). He is survived by his beautiful wife Irene, his three sons Jeff (Tina), Ian (Erin) and David (Naomi) as well as his wonderful sister Betty (Barie).

Dads journey in life began on April 1st, 1947 – April Fool’s Day; a date which was fitting for a man so well known for his humor and lightheartedness. As luck (or humor) would have it because Dad decided to skip his due date of late March, opting instead to enter the world on the 1st, and in doing so meant that new and higher health care levies would were scheduled to be applied (for years this was a running joke shared between Ted and his father).

Growing up in Surrey, Ted had fallen in love with sports – excelling in every sport he played – Baseball, Soccer and Basketball, displaying incredible tenacity to win. During his junior and senior years at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, he helped to lead his team to many victories in Basketball – appearing in the final brackets of the Provincial Basketball Championships. On the diamond he was drawing interest from major league teams and received a tryout with a farm team of the Kansas City Athletics – however, fate had a different path for him.

Upon graduation in 1967 from BCIT in Business Administration, Ted made a decision that would forever change his life – he opted to join the RCAF. It was this journey which would define him for the rest of his life as it eventually brought him to CFB Clinton and a woman he would celebrate nearly fifty-five anniversaries with, her name - Irene Manderson. As the story goes, this meeting was not by happenstance. Now at the rank of Lieutenant, Teds appointment to CFB Clinton put him in charge of the Base Canex Store, where one of his employees was a woman named Annette Manderson... yes, Irene’s mom.

Annette Manderson was immediately impressed by Dad’s character, charm, and sincerity – plus being a young Officer/ Bachelor, he would be a great match for her daughter – so the soon to be mother-in-law planning began! However, upon the first introduction between Ted and Irene – the daughter quietly confided in her mother that while Ted was genuinely nice and a true gentleman, he did appear quite old with whisps of white hair in the temples of his 22-year-old head.

After some “precious” mother / daughter discussions, Irene reluctantly gave Ted a second try and was able to see past the grey hairs and begin to fall in love with all the great personality traits her mother had praised him for. It was not too long before a wedding date was set, and on December 17th, 1969, Irene Manderson became Irene Tisdale and Dad could not have been any happier.

By October 1970, Ted and Irene took on new titles – Mom and Dad to their first son, Jeff; then in 1973 with Ian and in 1978 with David. The family was set, and the Tisdale’s were well on their way to new adventures!

By the time David was born, Captain Ted Tisdale, following a posting out west to CFB Chilliwack decided to leave the RCAF and start a new chapter in his career with the City of Chilliwack, managing the Chilliwack Parks and Recreation Commission (CPRC). It was at the city where his responsibilities and ultimately his career grew into more senior roles, before retiring in 2005 as the top executive in the city, the Chief Administrative Officer. During his thirty years of leadership of the city, collaborating with staff and Council, together they grew the many amenities we all know and enjoy today, as well as finding ways to ensure efficiency in development. The list of projects Ted has his fingerprints on include ~ amalgamation of the District of Chilliwack and City of Chilliwack to form the District of Chilliwack and then eventually evolving into the City of Chilliwack, the redevelopment of the old CFB Chilliwack base site into Garrison Crossing, the Evans Road ‘flyover’ in conjunction with Band Councils of local First Nations Communities, the Law Courts downtown, the NEW Chilliwack Coliseum (formerly Prospera Place), to name a few.

By the time retirement came around, Ted was ready for his next role – that of a loving Grandfather to Malcolm (Brittany), Lauren (Amol), Lincoln, Madison, and Kelton. Being a grandfather was a role that came naturally to a man already full of kindness, generosity and of course – cheekiness. Both Dad and Mom relished the many hours in the company of their grandchildren – through their sports such as hockey, figure skating and soccer. Of course, obligatory spoiling was also a responsibility taken quite seriously! Yes, Dad loved his grandkids. As luck would have it, the number of grandkids grew in later years to welcome in Claire, Nolan, Lexi, and Faith. He was a man full of the best riches of life!

In his later years, the gift of being a great grandfather was bestowed upon him with Oliver and Paisley (Malcom, Brittany) and provided that rare opportunity for the third time, generationally, to enjoy first steps, first words and welcoming smiles. What a blessing.

Dad was a man of many gifts who shared them freely and without hesitation to all who knew him – and our personal worlds are certainly better for it. In his final weeks he shared with his family how much he loved us all and it was each one of us who made him the proudest husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

The impact that Ted Tisdale made on his family will continue like a ripple in the water. The lessons he taught us through kindness, generosity and love will continue for generations to come and its through these traits we will always remember this much-loved man.

The family would also like to acknowledge Dr. Gordon Enns and the many Nurses and medical professionals at CGH who gave Dad so much respect and dignity during his final days. In addition, we are humbly grateful to Rev. Lorie Martin who shepherded our family through these dark days with her words of praise and support. Your grace and guidance will always be treasured.

The Family is planning a celebration for the life of Ted Tisdale on Saturday May 11th at St. Thomas Church in Chilliwack at 11am,(which will also be live streamed from www.stthomaschilliwack.org) arrangements performed by Henderson's Funeral Home.

Refreshments to follow the service at the home of Ted and Irene Tisdale.

Farewell Dad, we will see you again.