Remembering Edward William Tate

Our dear father, Edward W. Tate, passed away on November 28 at age 92 after a long illness. Ed loved life and filled his with an amazing variety of interests and projects. He was devoted to his family, friends, community, and church. He believed strongly in the power of art and worked to give everyone the chance to experience it.

Ed was predeceased by his beloved wife Marion (Padfield), his parents, Walter and Ellen (Ferguson), his brothers James Fox, Stanley and John, and sisters-in-law Evelyn Varga, Jacqueline Padfield (Bill), and Elsie Tollerton (Ian). He is survived by his children David (Mary Ellen), Melinda, Ellen (Mory) and Kathryn (Martin); his grandchildren Isabeau, Amara, Issiaka, and Karou; his sisters-in-law Barbara Padfield, Helen Jarvis (Norm), Mildred Moffat (Al), brother-in-law Bill Padfield, and many nieces and nephews.

Ed grew up in west Toronto, attending York Memorial and U of T. He got his first teaching job in Mount Forest, where he met Marion. They married in 1958 and moved to Orillia where Ed taught at ODCVI and Park Street Collegiate. They joined St. Paul’s United Church, where Ed sang in the choir, led the youth group, and produced the “Spire” newsletter.

In 1969, the family moved to Sudbury where Ed joined the Ministry of Education. As art consultant, he travelled throughout northern Ontario assisting art teachers. He also promoted arts in the community as president of the Sudbury Arts Council and by supporting local artists, writing an arts column, and even hosting a community cable show called “What’s Art Doing?” (Ed liked puns). During this time, he also earned his Master’s in Art Education at the University of Buffalo.

An active member of St. Peter’s United Church, Ed did a lot of volunteer work there and with other organizations, including the CNIB and Extendicare York. He worked with the Friends of the Spanish River to build a Pointer boat. The bright red boat was displayed in malls and at local events, creating a lot of interest in the river revitalization project.

In mid-life Ed somehow became interested in building Y-Flyer sailboats. He then raced them at the Sudbury Yacht Club, where he served as commodore. He was also president of Y-Flyer Canada (CYFYRA) from 1990 to 2006.

When Parkinson’s Disease made it no longer possible to sail, Ed renewed his interest in painting, eventually holding a show of his work to raise funds for the Parkinson’s society.

Ed could have easily filled another 92 years, and we really wish he could have had them. We hope he is now reunited with our mom and free to do all the things that Parkinson’s gradually took from him— sailing, painting, drawing, sculpting, kite flying, singing, whistling, photography, calligraphy, puppetry, trying to play the recorder…

Thanks to all the great people who helped Ed to live with dignity in his last years, in particular caregivers Gail and Ryan in Sudbury, and Alma, Jelaine, and Carmen in Toronto, as well as the Belmont House crew.

Arrangements entrusted to Carson Funeral Home in Orillia. Donations to the Sudbury Arts Council, Parkinson Canada or the charity of your choice in Ed’s memory are greatly appreciated. A celebration of life is being planned; please email tigno@protonmail.com for details.

Online Messages of Condolence are welcome at  www.CarsonFuneralHomes.com

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