Edwin French

FRENCH - Ned (Edwin Frederick) - Ned passed away in Regina on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the age of 96 years. Remembering with gratitude his many contributions to their lives are his daughter Colleen (Colin McConnell); son David; granddaughter Stephanie (Marc Marion) and grandson Derek. He will be sadly missed by his brother John Willis; sister Evelyn; nephew, nieces, many other members of his extended family and friends. Ned was born in Govan, SK in 1911. His parents were John Henry French and Telida Laknas. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife Dorothy (in 1991) and by his sister Betsy. His family and friends remember Ned as a brilliant man with many talents; most of all they remember the confidence and determination with which he tackled all of life's challenges, his generous compassionate nature, and his irrepressible sense of humour. His passions for political analysis and for sports (especially curling as a skip, and watching football/baseball) were legendary. His lifelong love of landscape design (acquired during his years as a salesman and sales manager for nurseries in Manitoba and Saskatchewan) he passed on to his granddaughter Stephanie who now practises landscape architecture. In his retirement years he was dedicated to promoting awareness of the health benefits of EDTA chelation therapy for the treatment of arterial disease. Ned earned a B.A. in Economics and a B.Ed. from the University of Manitoba, and an education diploma from the University of Saskatchewan. Looking back on his varied career, Ned remembered his work as a teacher to be the most fulfilling. At the time, he was the youngest high school principal in Manitoba at age 27, and his students revered him. He kept in touch with many of them for decades; one of these students, Mildred Flanagan, became a lifelong friend who was still corresponding faithfully with Ned and his family at the time of his death. Ned spent most of the war years developing technical specifications and writing manuals for the Inspections Branch (weapons). This experience led directly to his 20-year career in Ottawa with the Department of Defence Production, Armament Branch, where he was Manager of Production. Following his retirement in 1972 (first to Winnipeg, then to Govan and Regina), Ned resumed part-time work as a landscape designer, devoted himself to the care of his elderly mother-inlaw, and took an avid interest in his children's and grandchildren's lives. In recent years as a resident of St. Basil's Manor, he made many good friends who will miss him. At Ned's request, there will be no funeral; a private committal service is planned. Flowers gratefully declined. Friends so wishing may make donations to the Chelation Association of Saskatchewan, Suite 215 4950 Pasqua Street, Regina, SK S4S 7L2 or plant a tree in his memory. Family and friends are invited to sign a book of condolences online at www.regina-memorial.ca . Arrangements are entrusted to