EDWARD WACHAL

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EDWARD WACHAL Peacefully, on December 22, 2005, after a determined battle with cancer, Edward Wachal, aged 77, passed away with his family at his side. Left to mourn are his wife of 51 years Iona Wachal; his son Bruce (Jennifer) and daughter Sheila (Jack) Di Santo; and his five grandchildren, Scott, Nicholas, Evan, Daniella and Liam. Also bereaved are his sister Bertha Dominiuk; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Wachal and Margaret Rickner; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Predeceasing Ed were his mother Margaret, father Frank, brother Ralph Wachal and granddaughter Sarah. Edward was born on May 8, 1928. He lived in Stead, MB on the family farm, later moving to East St. Paul at age eight, where he grew and experienced life's joys and hardships. Ed was of a market gardener's background and wasn't shy of hard work. During the 1950 flood, he met and later married his wife Iona. He always had a keen interest in politics, and ran for MLA in 1959. Then, a few years later, Ed and his young family embarked on a new journey, moving to Santa Monica, CA. He worked as a salesman with Crestlight Ltd. Although Ed became very successful within the company, he and his family still missed home, and decided to move back a year later. With that experience behind him, Ed then decided to explore the idea of running his own company, and in 1969 West-Can Inspection Ltd. was created. As the years passed, the company flourished, having branches in Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon and Head Office in Winnipeg. His legacy still continues today. Ed belonged to many organizations, including the Jaycees and the Lions Club, of which he was a life member, serving for over 40 years with the East Kildonan branch. In 1967, Ed entered the Masonic Lodge, Prince Rupert No. 1. He went on to the Scottish Rite in 1975 and joined the Khartum Temple Shriners in 1977 as a member of the Drum Bugle Corps. He fulfilled a lifelong dream of being in a marching band, even marching when his illness was advanced. In 1989, he was elected President and served his term with great pride and enthusiasm. Ed had endless hobbies, from going to the lake, fishing, snowmobiling, camping with the family bus, to golfing with his buddies. His love of aviation began as a young Air Cadet. He earned his private flying licence from the Winnipeg Flying Club in 1978. Ed was always a well liked person by everyone he met. He entered everything he did with great enthusiasm. His zest for life was there with him right to the end. You could never meet a prouder Canadian or a more devoted ambassador for Western Canada and particularly Winnipeg. He and his warm, welcoming smile will be forever missed. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Ann and Gwen his palliative care nurses, and to all the countless others who were involved in his care. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 29 at Eastview Community Church, 3500 DeVries Rd., with Peter Cain officiating. There will be no interment, as cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent St., Winnipeg, MB R2L 1X3, or to a charity of their choice. KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson - North of McIvor - 338-0331

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 24, 2005