ANTHONY EDWIN FRASER (TED) PATERSON

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ANTHONY EDWIN FRASER (TED) PATERSON Friday, April 13, 1923 - Tuesday, July 12, 2011 It is difficult to imagine such a man as Ted, with his dynamic personality, fierce intelligence, commitment to social justice and strong opinions, no longer being in this world. Barbara Paterson, daughter. Sunday, October 9, 2011, family and friends gathered to honour Ted's life and his legacy, with Ted's kind of party, - good company, good food, live jazz, libations, fun and an occasional tear and tight throat. There were tributes by family and friends, quotes from others and heart-warming photos set to Ted's favourite music. Supported by family and friends, grandchildren greeted guests and served refreshments. ...Glass filled to the top, not a half-full kind of person. Everyone should have a big brother like you...in the dirty thirties you made it so much fun... He was my mentor. Ted seized life. Bright and responsible, as a youngster Ted assumed family responsibility for four younger siblings and his Mother. By grade one, he had his first customers, and he volunteered, - to hold nails, while Dad nailed (political) posters to wooden light and telephone poles. Ted loved sport and excelled at track and field, lacrosse, baseball and hockey, so much so, that he was disappointed when his Dad presented him with a new baby brother - not the goaler's stick he'd been hoping for. A natural organizer, he participated in and organized various sports, eventually producing fundraisers, with upcoming artists, like Louis Armstrong. Thriving on challenges, doing the right thing and being active in his community were always part of who Ted was. While in the military, among other interests, Ted and two buddies proudly secured the copyright for TViews publication. He volunteered on five United Way P.R. committees across Canada, helped form the Edmonton Public Relations Society, wrote a weekly sports column for national and regional Catholic newspapers for 12 years and served as a school board trustee. Ahead of his time, Ted enjoyed several careers: a chemical laboratory assistant until old enough to enlist in the R.C.A.F.: R.C.A.F. instructor in Canada; wartime navigator in England and N.W. Europe. After the Second World War, Ted chose business over DVA's university opportunities and became a ladies wear merchant in Cornwall and Sudbury, ON. In 1951, he re-enlisted in the Canadian Air Force, serving across Canada and the USA until his voluntary retirement in 1969 in the rank of Major. After he opened and managed the Toronto office of Lee-Neville Executive Consultants Ltd., he realized he was happier working with teams and returned to Winnipeg as United Way Executive Director, (1971 to 1985). Ted received the United Way of Canada President's Award of Distinction, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the United Way movement in Canada , beginning as a volunteer in Halifax in 1960. Ted and his wife, Janet Handel, were principals of Handel Paterson consultants to management (1985 to 2005). Ted touched and influenced many individuals personally. Experience with elected people and bureaucrats assisted Ted in his endeavours to improve individuals' lives. One of Ted's most satisfying achievements was significantly restructuring the United Employee Agency Benefits Program investment arrangement, thus improving the retirement income of many social service agency retirees and their spouses from 1974 to the present. Ted's successor at the U.W.W., Susan Lewis, praised him saying, one of Ted's great gifts was matching people to people, and people to opportunity, a talent instrumental in helping develop the Manitoba Community Services Committee in the mid 1980s, to equitably distribute lottery moneys throughout rural Manitoba. Larry Desjardin, then provincial Minister for Health and for Recreation and Sport, stated publicly that Ted's word was always a solid, reliable commitment. Ted also was proud to work with United Way Campaign Chair, Robert Chipman (1975), who founded the Leaders of the Way program which has become one of the largest single components of the United Way annual fundraising campaign. Ted's community service was far-reaching. He served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Fred Douglas Lodge, Manitoba Marathon Foundation, among others. Ted was appointed to the first provincial (citizens) Home Care Appeal Board and the National Welfare Council of Canada. He organized and taught the University of Winnipeg's first continuing education course in Public Relations, now a diploma-granting program. Family was paramount in Ted's life. Ted and Janet were devoted to each other and happily married for 30 years. Ted was a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. When the children were growing up, a busy career frequently took him away from home but family occasions, birthdays, vacations, trips and arranging private time with each child were important. Annual visits and reunions have become part of the family norm with family living elsewhere, plus selective newspaper clippings, letting them know he was thinking about them. Ted is missed greatly by his wife, Janet Handel; his children, Barbara, Brenda, Scott, Patrick, Ted, Laura, Norman, Mark, Joy, Paul and their families; sisters, Connie, Anne and Helen and their families, his late brother, Frank's family and many close relatives and friends. In recognition of Ted's commitment to community, donations are gratefully accepted by The Ted Paterson Fund at the Winnipeg United Way, 580 Main St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 1C7, (477-5360) or in Ted Paterson's name with CancerCare Manitoba Foundation (Leukemia Research), 1160 - 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 (787-4143).

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 29, 2011