It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved father at the Golden Links Retirement Lodge in Winnipeg.

 

In keeping with Edward’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private celebration of his life will be held when it is possible to gather. In the meantime, Edward’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos and/or sharing your own memories and stories using the comment section on this page.

 

Edward was born in Elie, Manitoba, into the loving embracing arms of Gerhard and Justina (née Martens) Friesen who immigrated from Grigorievka, Ukraine in 1925 to settle and farm in the Headingley, Manitoba area.

 

Being born into such a large family of six brothers and five sisters Dad was always eager to share countless stories of his upbringing and fond memories of the farm. Edward left the family farm soon after his mother Justina passed and went to work with Friesen Bro’s Constuction. in Virden. He worked in the oil field sector as a heavy equipment operator clearing oil patch sites and building roads. It is in Virden where he met the love of his life and soul mate, Patricia Milligan from Pipestone.  They married in 1954 and soon started their own family.

 

Dad was a man of many hats on his journey through life from road construction to working for the Bennett Dam in Hudson Hope, B.C as a Geologist / Power Engineer from there Dad and Mom went onto owning and operating a Fishing Hunting Resort in Fort St. James, British Columbia. They successfully ran the lodge until their overwhelming desire to be once again reunited with family and friends that brought his family back to Manitoba. It must have been on their bucket list that we kids see another part of the world so off we all went and traveled extensively throughout parts of Europe for a year it was an amazing educational experience we all had; it was magical.

 

Upon returning to Manitoba, they owned and operated Rock Lake Beach another Resort in the Cartwright, Mb. area where we all had such good memories of family get-together’s and good times.

 

After running Rock Lake successfully for a number of years Dad and Mom made their way into Winnipeg, Manitoba where they eventually settled to be with the bulk of their brothers and sisters which was so fulfilling for them. With Dad’s many talents and Mom’s real estate savvy they bought an apartment building and a number of revenue properties. Dad maintained the properties along with working at the North Star Hotel as a Maintenance Man and Grader Operator for the City of Winnipeg and always making himself available to support us kids with our own dreams and aspirations and helping out family and friends when called upon kept Dad a busy man.

 

During Dad’s spare time he enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, golfing, doing crossword puzzles, reading newspapers and Maclean’s magazine. He would seldom miss an episode of the price is right, wheel of fortune, and Jeopardy with Mom as well as the Saturday Night hockey and going to Burger King with his youngest son Brad on an almost daily basis was a ritual. Dad also enjoyed frequent visits from his brother-in-law Bob and getting together with the in-laws for bridge, keeping tabs on his siblings and always looked forward to family get togethers.

 

Left to cherish Dads memory are his four loving children and their families Pamella (née

David Weiss) the eldest and imagine if you will them sharing the same birthdate; what a celebration, Mark (Karin), Vince (Martina), and Brad (Laurie). Edward was a proud and doting grandfather to David and Pam’s son Greg and daughter Lindsay (née David Guenter), Mark and Karin’s daughter Justine (Steve) and great-great-grandfather to David and Lindsay’s sons Nico and Freddy. Edward is survived by two sisters Helen (Jim Barron) and Betty (Charlie Kaufman) and numerous nephews and nieces and their families.

 

Edward is predeceased by his brothers Nick (Doreen), Henry (Vivian), Art (Anne), Dave (Minnie), George (Katherine), Peter (Mary), and sisters Sonja (Paul) Reimer, Katja (Peter Geisbrecht) and Mary (Tony) Perrino.

 

Edward has touched so many lives with his engaging personality quick wit and friendly demeanour. To know him was to love him and his gentle soul and ways was such a pleasure to be around and we were truly blessed and proud to have such a wonderful loving father. He will be dearly missed, and we look forward to a joyful reunion in the future.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St, Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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