Born in a log cabin on Oct. 5, 1917 in Bangor, Saskatchewan, Eddie was the youngest of ten children, six boys and four girls. On Aug. 18, 2013, at the age of 95, Ed died peacefully with family by his side at his home in Glacier View Lodge, Courtenay, BC.
The Welsh language was spoken at home, so Eddie learned to speak English in a rural schoolhouse along with Hungarian and Swedish children from surrounding immigrant communities. In 1929 the family moved to Regina where Ed attended high school at Scott Collegiate Institute and was very active in team sports. In 1939 -1945, Sergeant Davies was in Europe with Regina’s 18th Battery, Anti-Tanks of the Royal Canadian Artillery for the duration of WW2. He saw action in France and Germany and took part in the liberation of Holland.
After the war he moved to BC and worked at the mill in Powell River where he met his future wife, Betty, a nurse at the hospital there. He worked as a steam engineer with CP Ferries sailing from Vancouver to Alaska on the Princess Kathleen and later on the Princess Elizabeth on the “Triangle Run” between Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle. In 1967, he moved his growing family to Victoria and worked as a stationary engineer, looking after the heating and general maintenance in the Federal Building for 14 years, before retiring. He was a member of the Arion Male Voice Choir, Belmont United Church and then First United Church.
In 1992, Ed and Betty moved permanently to their beach house in Comox, to be closer to their family, then eventually to Berwick. They made many friends and enjoyed singing with the Clef Hangers barbershop group as well as going to the Evergreens Seniors Friday night dances. Ed was also one of the five original members of the 3pm, Friday “Coffee Boys”, (Ed, Tryg, Earl, Frank & Bill) at Bobby’s Deli in the Comox Mall.
At the age of 93, in 2011, Ed returned to his birthplace of Bangor and thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the 100th year celebrations of the village where his family had been among the original Welsh settlers.
Ed was predeceased in 2010 by Betty, his wife of almost 58 years, and his granddaughter, Laura Hubscher in 1998. He is survived by his three daughters: Diane Davies, Lorraine (Malcolm) Ledgard, Sue (Marv) Neufeld, five grandchildren: Jon (Letitia), Heather (Jeff), Cathy, Cassie, Caitlyn and four great-grandchildren: Emily, Aleyna, Dylan and Lily.
An enormous thank you to Dr. Musgrave, Dr. Gee, the staff at Berwick, the Home and Community Care nurses and Care Aides who supported him while living at home, and all the nurses and staff at Glacier View Lodge who treated him with humour and kindness. He loved it! Also a big thank you to the staff at his favourite restaurant, Smitty’s, in Comox. Particularly Sherry, who always made his visit to Smitty’s really special.
“Fast Eddie” loved to share a chuckle at every opportunity by finding the humour in ordinary things. His quick wit, twinkling eyes and cheeky smile will long be remembered. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at the Comox Legion on Saturday, Sept 14th at 1pm.
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