Obituary of Edward Carter-Edwards

CARTER-EDWARDS, ED: The tenor voice, endless jokes and talks about his POW experiences that were so much a part of Edward Carter-Edwards are now history. In his 94th year, Ed passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at McNally House. Born in Montreal in 1923, his family moved to Hagersville then Hamilton. Ed joined the RCAF during WWII. When his Halifax bomber was shot down June 1944, he was captured and incarcerated along with 167 other allied airmen in Buchenwald Concentration Camp. After liberation, Ed returned home and married Lois (nee Russell) in 1946 and settled in Ancaster. Ed’s voice could be heard in productions of the Hamilton Theatre Company, Harlequin Singers and Church choirs at Ancaster, Hamilton and Smithville. After retiring from Westinghouse/Camco, Ed and Lois moved to Bala and Bradenton Florida before settling in Smithville in 1994. Ed was a co-founder of the Hamilton/Burlington chapter of the National POW Association, member of the Konzentrationslager Buchenwald (KLB), Association Française Buchenwald Dora et kommandos, the RCAF Association, RCAFA 434 Wing, 427 Lion Squadron, Smithville Legion Branch 393, 6th RCAF Museum in Dunnville, and Honorary member of the OPP Veterans Association. Ed spent many hours talking to elementary through university level students, service clubs, and various associations at home and abroad on his war experiences, the dangers of intolerance and need for compassion and human understanding. Ed’s message is still relevant and will be in years to come. He will be missed by many friends in Canada, United States and Europe, especially Germany where he spoke at memorial events at Buchenwald. Ed is survived by Lois his loving wife of 70 years, children Dennis (Karen) and Leanne (Mike), grandchildren Trent (Betty), Craig (Sue), Tyler, Justin, John, and great grandchildren Sean, Chloe and Callum. He is now re-united with his daughter Lynda and his siblings. Our family would like to thank Dr. Cano and staff, McNally House Hospice, all physicians, nurses, personal support workers, and friends who have provided their expertise, prayers, compassion, home and hospital visits, home cooked meals, singing and music for Ed. We would like to also thank VAC for their support. Visitation will be held at Merritt Funeral Home, 287 Station Street, Smithville on Sunday, February 26 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at Smithville United Church, 116 West Street (Regional Rd 20), Smithville on Monday, February 27 at 11 a.m. Interment Smithville United Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to McNally House Hospice, 6th RCAF Museum Dunnville or Smithville United Church will honour Ed’s legacy and can be made through the funeral home. Our Family would like to also thank the many friends and professionals who have amazed us with their commitment and love for Ed and Lois, and willingness to give their time to help our family. We appreciate the acts of kindness and encouragement which have helped us through this journey. Thank You so much. - Reverend Gary Patterson, choir and parishioners of Smithville United Church - Neighbours and many many friends who for months have provided constant support for Lois and Ed with their phone calls and visits, homemade meals, fruits, flowers, presentations, singing and music at their house and at McNally House and the hospital - Dr. Cano, Dr. Marshall, Dr. Whitehead, Dr. Love, Dr. Major, Sandra and nurses at Niagara Public Health, Vicki, Kathleen, nutritionist JB, Mary Catherine, Juravinski Cancer Centre nurses staff and volunteers - West Lincoln Hospital emergency and Ward B nurses and volunteers - Paoula Lawrence at HNHB CCAC - Nurse Barb and other St. Elizabeth nurses - McNally House – a truly amazing and comfortable end of life home with staff and volunteers who have become family to us -Paramed personal support workers and staff, there are many of them, for their compassion and concern in helping care for Ed and for Lois in their home, and their continued love for Ed visiting in the hospital and McNally House - Jeannette Pearce at Veteran’s Affairs Canada - Rexall Pharmacy, Foodland staff, and other stores and restaurants in the Smithville area for their support and commitment to Ed and Lois - Students and staff at Grimsby Secondary School for their amazing yearbook, and Smithville Covenant Christian School for the flowers and Thank You card