Edward was born in St. John, NB on January 14, 1943 and passed away on April 17, 2009 at Vancouver General Hospital. He was predeceased by his father, John Edward Southern, his mother, Emilia (Millie) Foster/Southern and her second husband, Douglas Foster. Ed is survived by his life partner of 33 years, Darrell Zakreski and his supporting family; his uncle Delphis Doucet, Dalhousie, NB; special cousin, Lorraine (Edgar) Nadeau of McKenzie, BC, longtime soulmate, Patricia Vanasse of Montreal; as well as numerous friends and cousins in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Port Coquitlam, Vancouver, Dalhousie, NB, Bathurst, NB and Kiev, Ukraine. He graduated in 1961 from Dalhousie School of Commerce. Throughout the course of Ed’s life, he had various business ventures. He began his career in Gabon, Africa with an international rail company. He returned to Canada and joined the Alberta oil and gas professional recruitment industry. He owned and operated numerous Calgary entertainment venues and participated in commercial real estate development. Ed worked with E.R. Squibb & sons as a Credit Manager in Montreal, moved to Saskatoon in 1975 with AMOK Ltd. as Manager of Personnel Administration. Moving later to Calgary in 1977, Ed was involved in professional recruiting for the oil and gas industry until the mid 1980’s. When Ukraine obtained its’ independence in 1991, Ed took an interest in Ukraine and was presented an opportunity to further develop oil and gas reserves in the Ukraine. Over the course of this project, Ed was appointed Executive Vice President for Kroes Energy Inc. His dedication and vision drove him to become very instrumental in building a solid relationship with the Ukrainian government which resulted in his appointment to Honorary Consul of Ukraine for Alberta for a number of years. While spending several months of every year in Kiev, he became active in the Ukrainian Roman Catholic Church, St. Alexander’s Cathedral. Ed took on a lead role as Choir Director and fundraised for an international quality pipe organ. Even though Ed was not of Ukrainian origin, he loved the country, its’ history, culture and people. Ed had many interests that included extensive world travel, reading, television and immensely enjoying his coffee and cigarette. He was known for his direct, quick witted and humorous personality. He had numerous friends from many parts of the world and was quick to make friends wherever he travelled and worked. With the support of the BC Transplant Society, Ed was gifted with a successful lung transplant in Fall of 2007. Donations in his memory may be forwarded to the Solid Organ Transplant Clinic, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9. Special thanks and deep gratitude to Dr. Yee, Dr. Levy, Dr. Wilson and all the staff including the ICU Department that supported Ed during his hospital stays at the Vancouver General Hospital along with Dr. Waters and the Victoria Royal Jubilee Hospital staff.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria. Ed will be laid to rest in Calgary at a private service.
19 Responses
So very sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. Our sympathies to you, Darrell on your loss. We did enjoy some good times in France and remember Ed for his spunk and great sense of humor. He will be missed. Please send condolences to his family as well.
Pat & Oistein
You will be dearly missed Ed. Darrell my deepest condolences
always skye
Dear Darrell,
I am very sorry for your loss. Although I only knew Ed a short time he will be missed greatly by myself and others who knew him. He was a great motivator when it came to doing our rehab, he had a way of kicking our behinds when we needed it in a forthright manner which endeared him to many. I will remember him and yourself in my prayers and may his passing be blessed into the keeping of Gods hands. With Love
Shannon Wood
You have my deepest Sympathy Darrell, He was known as crazy cousin Edward, Iam from Bathurst, Your in my prayers, Debbie and Donald
My thoughts and Prayers go out to you Darrell, Its been a while since we saw Edward, But always thought of him,, he was known as crazy cousin Edward, He was from Dalhousie ,Iam from Bathurst ,My deepest Sympathy to You , Joan And Ray
My deepest sympathy to you Darrell, Its beenyears since iv seen or heard from Edward. We were kids growing up, he in Dalhousie , and me in bathurst, N.B. We would visit, had fun toghter as kids did. However the years went by, both grew up and moved away. Iv thought about him through the years..where he was etc. He was too young. He was always such a funny and friendly guy…Crazy cousin Edward we called him, but weall loved him..My deepest sympathy to all of you xxxDoris
I met Ed at the rehab program at the Royal Jubilee. He was always so encouraging and full of great advice and tips to make living with oxygen and handling the wait for a transplant a little easier. He also made us laugh and I will always remember him for that. God bless you Ed.
Jordon and I send our deepest sympathies to you , Darryl and your extended family. We so enjoyed Ed’s humour . Jordon has good memories from working at The Warehouse. Ed had a very interesting life and enjoyed every bit of it. He will be remembered very fondly.
Dear Darrell:
I would like to extend to you, on behalf of myself and Bruce McKenzie, our deepest sympathy on the death of Ed. We will always remember Ed fondly and smile when we think of him. We won’t forget the time Ed asked Bruce to play the piano over and over again at your home in Calgary. He really did love music didn’t he.
We hope you will get in touch with us in future when you have some time. Again Our sincere sympathy to you and Ed’s family.
“Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual Light shine upon him.”
Bill McFarlane
Bruce Mckenzie
I met Ed at BC Transplant in Vancouver. He had his tranplant 1 month before me. When I returned to Victoria, Ed encouraged me to join the Rehab Program which he went to at the Royal Jubilee.
With our Bi weekly chats together with other recipients Ed helped me get myself back on track. I am very thankfull to Ed for his help. He made a very positive foot print on my life and my families. May he rest in peace
Lou