Our beloved Captain passed away last Friday after a short illness. He died as he lived; quietly, with dignity, and surrounded by the people he loved most in the world.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jane, his brother Ernie & his sister-in-law Kathy, his daughters Karen, Heather (Mitchell) and Alison (Chris), grandchildren – Danielle, Jillian, Kali Jane, John, Alice, Eric Edward, Zuzu, & Florence, niece Tanis, nephew Alan(Cheetal), and many more beloved family members and friends.
Ed was born to Ernest and Edith Carley in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The family came to Victoria in 1952. His childhood memories included Scouting, hockey, and waterskiing.
Ed kept a lifelong log of his flights as a commercial airline pilot from 1963 until his retirement in 2004. Throughout his career, he was proud to fly with the Victoria Flying Services, Pacific Western Airlines, Canadian Airlines, and finally Air Canada.
Ed and Jane married in 1967 and moved to Spruce Grove, Alberta in 1971 where they raised their family. He was a devoted husband and father who built backyard skating rinks, doll furniture & playhouses. He repaired sports equipment, tea sets, and bruised knees. As a family, they skied, skated, fished, camped, travelled, and more.
In 1992 Ed and Jane moved back to Victoria. In his retirement, he became Captain of their boat, the Dunfly’n and they spent many hours together on the waters of the Salish Sea. He valued his memberships with the Royal Canadian Legion, Capital City Yacht Club and the BC Aviation Museum. He was an avid sports fan, enjoyed reading history, and followed politics closely. He had a cheeky sense of humour and was always sending a new cartoon or joke to family and friends.
He loved his grandchildren dearly and was generous with his time and wisdom. He will be forever missed and always remembered.
The Funeral Service was conducted in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens by Reverend Hilde Seal from St. John’s United Church on June 2, 2021 at 2pm.
A recording of the service can be viewed by clicking the image below.
Tributes, if desired, may be offered to the Canadian Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ca/
Condolences and happy memories may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
22 Responses
Jane and family,
We are so saddened by this news, Ed was the nicest of people to have had in our lives and was always a pleasure to work with. Our hugs to you all.
Colm and Chrissie Egan
Jane: my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Ed was such a lovely human being and you two had a good life together. It is sad that he no longer is with us but I am glad he didn’t suffer for too long. May his memory bring you peace for a long time to come.
Love
Christine
To Jane and family, may you find peace in your memories. Sending you my prayers and thoughts at this time
Dear Mrs.Carley, Karen & family, Heather & family and Alison & family
You have so many amazing memories of your husband/dad. I will always remember him as the dad of the street. When he wasn’t flying he was camping with us at Brownie camp, grade 6 camp or building garages and play houses. I will always remember sitting on the stairs at your back door before school and he was trying to teaching us how to spell Tuktoyaktuk! I still had to Google it just now!
Hold your memories and family tight! Love you all
Laurie Parsons
Thoughts and prayers to you Jane and family. I had many enjoyable trips in YXD on the 737. Enjoyed playing hockey with him in Spruce Grove.
Glenn & Margaret Kraeling
Dear Jane and Family.
Sincere condolences to All. I’ve known Ed since PWA days as part of the Flight Operations Team in Edmonton and later in Vancouver. He was a funny, competent, positive individual that brought so much to his family, friendships and career. I am saddened to hear of his passing. He was one of the good guys and will be missed by many.
Jane Hantos
Hi Jane
So sad to hear of the Ed’s passing.
He and I worked long hours during contract negotiations and during the merger to form the Canadian Airlines pilot contract
I will always remember his work ethic and his sense of humour. He was alway able to keep calm during challenging negotiations!
Russ Lamb
Dear Jane and Family,
I did not know Ed but I truly love him. Just listening to the stories about him, loving his favourite music, knowing he loved his family. Our hearts go out to all of you. Celebrate that which you shared. Try not to mourn what you have lost. He’s present in your fifty plus years of memories.
Thank you for including your St. John’s family in this celebration.
Love and prayers,
Trudy and David
Please accept our condolences and know that we are thinking of you all. We are heartbroken to hear about the loss of your Ed. Fern, Johnny, Avalon and Gabrielle.
Dear Jane, Karen, Ali and Chris, Heather, Mitchell and all the grandkids,
Time heals a little – memories remain forever – may you all feel comfort in this. My heart is reaching out to you in sympathy and our wonderful friendship.
I love Ed and I love all of you so much. He will be so missed.
El, Janet and family