Edward Seamus Garagan

Edward Seamus Garagan, affectionately known as Bud or Buddy to those who knew him, was a strong, intelligent, charming, and faithful man of God with a terrific sense of humour. He was also a loving husband, dad, granddad, great-granddad, son, brother, uncle, neighbour, and friend. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bud enjoyed the first part of his life, playing hockey, joining the Canadian Air Force, gaining an education, and eventually meeting the love of his life, Patricia Anne Cameron. He fondly loved to recall their first meeting when he asked her to dance, to which she then playfully questioned if he could dance. He confidently replied, rather in his more colourful language, that he was the best dancer in the room, and they never looked back, spending nearly fifty-five years together in marriage. Bud and Pat went on to have six beautiful, faithful, strong-willed, and stubborn children, who were much like their parents (with the latter qualities coming from their father). Shannon (Victor Santos), Stephen (Genelle Garagan), Bryan (Shauna Garagan), Kerry-Anne (Wes Walz), Allene (Dave vanOirschot), and Robert (Shawna Garagan) modelled their parents in marriages of their own. Bud was then blessed with twenty-one grandchildren whom he affectionately called Ninja (Brandon), Susan (Kaelene), Rocky (Kelvin), Buzz (Braydon), Tiger (Jaedyn), Buck (Broedy), Rose (Brehna), Flash (Aymon), Angel (Aislynne), Ice Princess (Kyleigh), Annie Apple (Makenna), Genny (Gennae), Rocket (Kaeven), Seamer (Seamus), Shivers (Siobhan), Sweet Pea (Payton), Shiner (Cheyne), Clairabelle (Claira), Wrecker (Wrexyn), Breezy (Brielle), and Jellybean (Quinn). Bud was further blessed with four more grandchildren, Brittany, Destiny, Adam, and Jenny, through marriages to Brandon, Broedy, Jaedyn, and Kelvin, along with eight great-grandchildren, Finnegan, Iona, Kellan, Athena, Adalie, Acker, Pax, and Augustine. Having a large family was very fitting for Bud because he loved his family, and he loved them fiercely. He also loved to share his witty and often sarcastic humour, play his favourite tunes, and sing his favourite songs. Reminiscent of his Irish roots, Bud loved a good céilí, gathering friends and family on the front deck of his and his love’s Shuswap Lake home to eat, drink, sing, dance, share, teach, and celebrate the wonderful blessing of life. Bud genuinely cared about all that was true, good, and beautiful in this world, passing this down to his family. He was a teacher at heart, not only in the classroom, but also to anyone who would take the time to stop and listen. He loved to remind everyone, especially his grandchildren, that he was an educated man who had the “wisdom of Solomon.” His family loved to roll their eyes at this reminder to which he would loudly sing, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble…” Bud always knew how to make others laugh. He was a jokester and a fighter to the very end as he passed away peacefully surrounded by the love and prayers of his family and friends both near and far. Like our Great Teacher, Jesus Christ, Bud leaves those who knew him with a wealth of lessons, knowledge, and wisdom. His legacy will carry on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as they take comfort in the absolute greatest gift that Bud passed on to his family which was faith. If Bud could leave us with one last thing, it would be his favourite Irish blessing: “May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” After eighty-eight years of a life well-lived, may Bud rest in his Heavenly Father’s arms, and may God lovingly greet him with, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21.