Garry "Duke" Edmundson

1932 - 2016

GARRY "DUKE" EDMUNDSON 5/6/1932 - 9/20/2016 It is with great sadness the family of Garry 'Duke' Edmundson announce his passing in Newport Beach, California on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. He will be remembered not only for his gentle and kind spirit but his exceptional talents and accomplishments in the worlds of hockey and business. Duke was born in Sexsmith, Alberta on May 6th, 1932 and raised in Grande Prairie. Hockey became his passion at an early age and he became the first player from northern Alberta to play in the NHL. At the age of 16, Duke signed with the Montreal Canadiens and received $100 and a new pair of skates. He later played with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Duke finished his hockey career in the Western Hockey League with the San Francisco Seals and stayed in California where he met his wife Dona. In 1965, Duke began working in the manufactured housing industry in Corona, California. He had a long and respected career, winning many business awards. He was seen as a leader in the industry. Fifteen years ago, he began working with Santiago Communities, Inc. partnered with the non-profit Affordable Community Living (ACL) program. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at ACL helping to provide affordable housing to veterans and low-income families. He was very committed and passionate about his work with ACL. The friendships that Duke developed at Santiago were heartfelt. Duke's favorite sport ultimately became tennis. He played for over 40 years at the Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach, where he made lifelong friends on and off the tennis court. He also vacationed and played tennis in the Coachella Valley where he and Dona owned a second home. He was a longtime member of the La Quinta Tennis Club. He had a great love for the game, was very competitive and won many titles across the southland. His favorite vacation spot was the big island of Hawaii, where he and Dona traveled every year. He loved to sit on the balcony overlooking the ocean and read his favorite novel or book on American history. Duke was a generous man and fun to be around. He was friendly with everyone and struck up conversations everywhere he went making great impressions on all. He will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife, Dona, in Costa Mesa, California; brother Bryan (Alice) in Salmon Arm, B.C.; children Garry (Kim) in Maple Ridge, B.C., Thomas (Bertha predeceased) CA, Kimberlee (Steve) CA, Leslee (Jeffrey) CO, predeceased by daughter Teresa (Scott); grandchildren Jenniffer (Scott), Chris (Susan), Erika, Ashley (James), Josh, Izaak, Madeline; great grandchildren Jacob, Karissa; nephews Warren (Barbara), Trevor (Dana), niece Kim (Randy); many friends and colleagues. No service by request.