Edward McKenzie Beese

In his 97th year, surrounded by family. Missed dearly and remembered with love by Margaret (Peggy), his wife of 67 years, children Kathryn (Keith) Scott, Donald (Susan) Beese, and Mary Jane (Jim) Wolframe, grandchildren Kristyn Scott (David Zweig), Jonathan Wolframe, Katie (Greg) Bates, Jeffrey (Alana) Wolframe, Ryan Beese, and Jenna Wolframe, and great-grandchildren Harrison and Bennett Zweig, along with many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father George, mother Annie, brothers George (Kay), Clifford (Martha), and David, twin sister Edna Mae, and infant son Gordon Edward, in-laws Angus and Henrietta MacLeod, brothers and sisters-in-law William and Doris MacLeod, Mary and Gordon Tapp, Maybelle and Howard Cashaback, Calum MacLeod, Ada and John Carrel, Donald and Barbara MacLeod.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Edward and his family moved to Fort William during his teenage years. A proud WWII veteran he spent his career working as a locomotive engineer for CP Rail, retiring in 1980. Retirement allowed him to cultivate his many hobbies including photography (he never missed an opportunity to put on a slide show), watercolour painting, and gardening. Edward was a devoted gardener and his large and flourishing fruit, vegetable, and flower gardens were a point of pride every summer. An avid puzzle enthusiast, he could often be found completing, crosswords, word jumbles and searches, and challenging his grandchildren to ‘just one more’ game of Tetris. Edward had a wonderful sense of humour and never missed an opportunity to tell a joke, or put on a funny mask or hat in service of a good laugh. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Hogarth Riverview Manor. 

Funeral services will be held at Jenkens Funeral Home on Thursday, August 3, at 11am. Tributes, if desired, can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Parkinson’s Canada, or a charity of your choice.