EDWARD (TED) SHERWOOD

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EDWARD (TED) SHERWOOD Edward (Ted) Sherwood passed away with family at his side at the Charleswood Care Centre September 17, 2007. Ted was born in Winnipeg on June 27, 1919. He was shaped and strengthened by his upbringing in the North End of Winnipeg where he lived and went to Daniel McIntyre. He was predeceased by his sister Adele and two infant brothers who died in childhood, as well as his cherished sister Helen. Ted is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years Janet, son Don (Colleen) and grand-daughter Nicole; daughter Brenda (David) Newman with grandchildren, Jim (Meredith) and great-grandchildren, Paige and William; Jeff (Robyn) and Jody (Nathan). Even though they are miles apart the rest of his family were very loving and supportive, which includes his younger brother Robert (Elinor), his older sister Stella and her daughter Adele. Ted joined the RCAF in 1941 and served overseas as a Coastal Pilot attached to the RAF. During this time he flew with Navigator Trevor Ninnes from New Zealand. Trevor recently said that he owed his life to Ted for always landing the plane safely. Ted and Trevor's lives were spared, as it happens they were on sick leave, suffering from Malaria, when their replacements went on a routine reconnaissance flight to NW Africa. As it happened, that flight was involved in a heroic engagement with a German U-Boat and all the lives were lost, and they were posthumously given the Victoria Cross. Thanks to the Internet Ted found and connected with Trevor in February 2006 after no contact for over 60 years. After the war Ted enjoyed his membership in and friendships with the Wartime Pilots and Observers Association. Ted worked for the Federal Treasury Board after the Scond World War. This took Janet and Ted to Vancouver briefly, where their first child Don was born. Ted and Janet spent four memorable years in Norway House Cree Nation from 1953 to 1957. While Ted worked for the Department of Indian and Northern Development as an Office Clerk Don and Brenda began their early schooling. They loved living there and made many close friends. The family then moved to Brandon when Ted joined Manitoba Hydro in Administration. For over eleven years Ted was active in that wonderful community, and made many happy memories and lifelong friendships. His career with Hydro brought him back to Winnipeg with the family in 1968, where he has had many fulfilling years. Ted had a major heart attack in 1977, and after a period of recovery he went back to work for Hydro until 1981 when he took early retirement. He loved to read. Cataract surgery this winter restored his capacity to read. Ted was a founding and active member of the Reh-Fit Centre since 1978. He attended for rehabilitation and active exercises twice weekly for many years. He exercised religiously until 2000 at which time he suffered his first broken hip at home, and then a second broken hip and wrist in 2004. He showed tremendous courage through his many illnesses. This year he was diagnosed with several levels of compression fractures of his spine. Ted was most thankful for the rehabilitation that Deer Lodge Rehab unit provided, along with the recent move to Charleswood Care Centre where he was lovingly cared for in Unit 6 this spring and summer. He also enjoyed several social activities in the last couple of years at Charleswood Adult Day Centre. The family is most thankful for the extremely good care he received on a number of occasions to Grace Emergency and also Victoria Hospital Emergency. The family wishes to thank Rev. Preston Parsons for his visitations and for presiding over the Graveside Service. Ted was a shy and humble man who preferred not to draw attention to himself or his family. In lieu of a memorial service and flowers, the family invites you to show your love and appreciation for Ted or those close to him by donating to Reh-Fit Foundation, 1390 Taylor Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3M 3V8, Heart Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald St., Suite 22, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6 or a charity of your choice. The Sailing Ship I am standing on a seashore. A ship in the bay lifts her anchor, spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts out upon the ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and ship mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, There, she's gone Gone Where! Gone from sight, that is all. Just at the moment there are other eyes watching her coming and other souls taking up the glad shout. There, she's coming! And that is dying. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 21, 2007