EDWARD A. McTAGGART

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EDWARD A. McTAGGART September 21, 1936- December 8, 2001 On Saturday, December 8, 2001 the community lost a great member of our society. Courageous and positive to the end, Edward Anthony McTaggart peacefully passed away from cancer. Left to cherish his memory and missing him desperately is his wife and very best friend, Irene. He will be lovingly missed by his daughters, Barb (Marcel), Tracy, Dawn-Lynn Keith; the girls mother Lorraine. Also missing him very much is his stepdaughter Kim (Rick) and his stepson Christopher; grandchildren, Ashley, Tammy, Jamie, Anthony, Jonathan and Derek. He will be lovingly remembered by brothers, George (Pat), Dave and his sister Margaret (Johnny). He was predeceased by his father (John), his mother (Janet) and his brothers, John and Hugh. He led a distinguished career as a Fire Fighter for the City of Winnipeg for 35 and one half years and retired as Acting District Chief on June 8, 1997. His last assignment was the Flood of the Century and he was assigned to the worst hit area of Winnipeg. He received commendations for his work during that difficult time. For his fellow fire fighters, he will be remembered for his love of life and people, water fights (no one was safe). Ed was a man that didnt ask anything from his men that he would not do himself and was known affectionately as "Popcorn Eddy". His best medicine was laughter which he shared with all at anytime and anyplace. He received Commendations, Certificates of Appreciation, Medals from the Prime Minister to the Community Club, far too many to list. For 30 years, Ed was involved with Charleswood In Motion Days, a community fair in Charleswood. Of those 30 years, he spent 29 years as Chairman. C.I.M. was unheard of in its concept by bringing together all the community clubs and community associations under one banner to work together raising funds for their programs. He kept it going and helped raise thousands of dollars and worked with hundreds of volunteers. Ed took holiday time to organize this event and he retired from the event in 2000. His work with Varsity View Community Centre in Charleswood is well known. From cleaning snow covered skating rinks to initiating and helping raise over a million dollars for the Varsity View Sportplex. Ed was a man who asked for very little but so enjoyed his time with his wife Irene on holidays at Padre Island, TX. Ed came on board with the Fire Fighters Burn Fund during its second year and also volunteered tirelessly for the organization. It was something he believed in passionately. He again helped raise thousands of dollars for this organization. He was Chairman of the Fire Fighters Banquet and Ball for many years. The funds went to buy special burn beds, equipment, the Burn Camp for Kids and many other requirements. There are not enough words to express what Ed did for his fellow man or his family and friends and will be missed terribly. Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 11 at 1:00 p.m. in the Sturgeon Creek United Church, 207 Thompson Dr. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Winnipeg Fire Fighters Burn Fund, 202-666 St. James Street, Winnipeg, R3G 3J6 NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 11, 2001