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
Dear Jane and family.
Trev and I send our love and condolences. The service was beautiful and the love you and Ed have for your family came through loud and clear. What wonderful memories you have, which hopefully fills you with comfort in this time of sorrow.
Donna
Our condolences to the Carley family.
It is hard to believe that it is over thirty years since Ed and I flew together in Edmonton. It was such a pleasant day to fly with Ed that the eight landing days passed nicely with the “odd sense of humour time” along the way!
May God comfort you all during this time of grieving.
Emily & Gordon Wilson
Dear Jane and family. We were devastated to hear the news about Ed. It’s seems like it was just the other day that we we visiting at CCYC. Our hearts go out to you.
Ellen and Wayne Booth
Condolences to Ed’s family. He was gentleman with a great sense of humour. Flew with Ed out of YXD/YEG. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Surprised and very sorry to hear the news about Ed. Loved his sense of humour around aviation topics over a beer at VIPERS. Would run into him at McDonalds in Sidney early in the morning where he would be with his boating buddies. Sorry to miss the service. Condolences to Jane and the whole family. Bye for now Ed.
Dear Jane and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. He had a special spirit that is going to live on through all of you.
God Bless
Doug and Laura
Dear Carley Family,
You were a most fortunate family to have Ed as your husband and father. He was such a lovely man both on and off the aircraft. A calm person with a caring manner.
We flew many trips together into the Arctic with PWA.
He will be remembered with fondness.
Ann Bidlock.
Jane and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss my thoughts are with Jane
at this difficult time.
Jane and Family
My heartfelt condolences to all of you. May sunshine and
beautiful memories replace the heartache and loneliness
your feeling now. Life is so fragile, but May all of you walk
In peace knowing what a wonderful life you all shared with Ed.
Love Colleen and family
We were sadden to read of the sudden passing of Ed. He was a gentleman and a friend to all of us who knew him. He will be missed.