EDWARD (TED) REEVE

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EDWARD (TED) REEVE After a brief illness, Ed passed away at Deer Lodge Centre at the age of 88. During his last week Ed was surrounded by family, friends and caregivers who loved him. Family includes his wife of 18 years, Lena Smith Reeve; his only daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Lorne; Lena's children, Tom, Kim (wife Madelyn), Lea, Cindy, daughter-in-law Arlene and all of their children. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Tracy, Susan (husband Andy), Liz (husband Bryce and daughter Leah), Carrie, Lisa (partner Ken and daughter Isabelle, son Raymond), Jessie (son Nathaniel) Ryan, Tim, Megan (son Ethan), Derek (wife Chris and sons Tristan, Dylan, daughter Tia and granddaughter Emma). Ted was predeceased by his wife Audrey in 1985. Ted came from a family of six which included his parents and sisters Anne and Ivy (deceased) and brother George in California. He has two nieces, Lynn and Joanne and many great-nieces and nephews. Ted was born in Thunder Bay (Ft. William), ON in 1922. As a young boy Ted collected coins and stamps, acted in school plays, played board and card games and he loved to sing. As a young man he was the winner of his Baritone class and runner up for the prestigious Rose Bowl competition in singing. His love of singing came from his father who loved to entertain in music halls while his mother played the piano and sisters and brother played assorted instruments (piano, accordion and violin). He continued to sing throughout his life in church and community choirs. Staff and residents at Deer Lodge, his last home, would often hear him break into song which all enjoyed. Ted served in both the infantry (where he broke his leg practising parachute jumping) and the R.C.A.F. during the war years. He took some pilot training and became a navigator/pilot observer over Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River. A moving moment in his life came later when he visited Arnhem with his wife Lena and paid respect to people he knew who had died overseas in the war. After the war he settled into a lifelong career involving sales, working for a variety of companies until age 71 when he retired. Ted, Audrey and Kathy lived in Ontario and Alberta before settling in Winnipeg in 1964. As a family they camped, travelled, bowled, attended shows and concerts and enjoyed eating out together. Ted did not eat to live, he lived to eat. He enjoyed all food and was always complimentary to whoever was cooking. As a family they took Chinese cooking classes together and making a Chinese meal became a Christmas Eve tradition for a few years. As a member of the Canadian Traveller's Association his work between 1946 to 1992 took him to many parts of Canada. His friendly, outgoing nature endeared him to all of his suppliers, clients and customers. Ted loved to travel. With Audrey, Ted took trips to the British Isles, and many parts of Canada and the U.S.A. In addition to travels in Canada and the U.S.A., Lena and Ted travelled to the Holy Land, where he was baptized, Holland, Hawaii and the Caribbean. For several years Ted and Lena made their summer home at Sandy Hook, MB and winter home in Apache Junction, AZ. Ted loved life, all people (especially babies and young children) and animals. He always had a pat for his granddog Miracle who visited him and other residents regularly at Deer Lodge. He was proud of his daughter Kathy's accomplishments. He loved the church and Jesus. His favourite hymn was It is I Lord . He will be remembered for his quick smile, laughter, jokes, his gentleness and sincerity. He rarely showed annoyance or distress and never complained. Ted's family would like to thank all of his caregivers, especially Eileen and all of the many visitors (family and friends) he had during his final days at Deer Lodge. The family particularly appreciated the staff and Management of Tower 5 at Deer Lodge. All were compassionate and caring to Ted and his family. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 24, 11:00 a.m. at Charleswood United Church, 4820 Roblin Blvd. A lunch reception will follow the funeral service at the church. Anyone wishing to donate in Ted's name can make donations to: Deer Lodge Foundation, Deer Lodge Centre, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3 or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 22, 2010