EDWIN WILLIAM SOMERS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

EDWIN WILLIAM SOMERS September 5, 1928 - August 24, 2017 Born on a farm to Alfred Llewelyn Somers, Strathclair, MB (1898 to 1998) and Edna Mae Westaway, Burraton, Saltash, Cornwall, England (1902 to 2000) Ed devoted his life's work to the land. A bursary for First World War Veterans' Sons encouraged Ed to leave a Permit Teaching position for Grades 1 to 10 in Pretty Valley to attend the University of Manitoba Faculty of Commerce. After completing third year by passing the Agriculture mathematics exam instead of the Commerce exam he went on to graduate from the Faculty of Agriculture in 1951. Ed was a Manitoba Department of Agriculture Ag Rep and Provincial 4-H Specialist in Roblin. In 1962 he completed an MSc in Extension Education in Wisconsin to prepare for his new position as Chief of 4-H. Expanding the offerings, making 4-H gender friendly and being respectful and patient enabled Ed to achieve the greatest enrolment in Manitoba 4-H Clubs to date: 13,000. He finished his work with the provincial and federal governments in management positions doing rural economic development. He became a forerunner in using computers at work due a personal interest in genealogy After retirement, Ed and his wife Elaine started Adam & Somers Inc. offering a variety of job training programs in rural Manitoba. Ed's major responsibility was computer skills. His knowledge of rural economics, industry and employers was invaluable for work placements and eventual jobs. A 90% success rate kept many rural families stable and financially solvent. Ed was happiest in face-to-face teaching positions encouraging others to strive and succeed. Commitment to heritage brought Ed to the executives of Manitoba Genealogy Society, Manitoba Heritage Federation, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and Mug Pub. He was a jolly MC as he and Elaine danced and performed at Folklorama and for the Scottish Entertainers and Demonstration Group. Ed and Elaine travelled and camped throughout Manitoba; toured their RV from east to west in Canada; visited family all over Great Britain; flew to countries "down under" and Iceland, Alaska and Scandinavia at the "top of the world"; danced to drums in Swaziland; sang at a Caleigh in Edinburgh; heard a lion sneeze in Tanzania and swam in the Caribbean, Mexican and Central American hotspots. Ed delighted in having his granddaughter Indigo walk up his stomach and flip her over, flip pancakes for Fort Richmond students and serve his famous Eddie Willie eggnog at annual Christmas brunches. Celebrating his life are his wife of 40 years, Elaine Louise Adam, children Michael and Darci Adam, granddaughter Indigo Adam-Grant; his former wife Isabella Briarcliff, children: Lea Kellett (John), their children Lauren, Hayley and Michael, Sheryl Somers (Brian Shack), Mark Somers and Ian Somers (Joan Staren); also, his surviving siblings Betty Pickerl (Harry Biddlecombe) and Graham (Irene). Many clever and talented nieces, nephews and grands follow in their footsteps. Ed was predeceased by younger brother Lawrence (Kathy), older brother Cliff (Martha), and sister Mae (Harold). Join us in a celebration of Ed's life and an Eddie Willie eggnog toast to Ed at Trinity United Church, 933 Summerside Avenue on Friday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity United Church or to the Patient Furniture Fund at St. Norbert Personal Care Home, 50 St. Pierre St.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 02, 2017