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BORN
1935
DIED
2021
Edward Curl Obituary
Ted had an extraordinary life. His first summer job would take him from Oshawa to the Banff Springs Hotel where he landed a role in Oklahoma directed by Norman Jewison. Ted's first full time job was as an announcer at CJCS radio in Stratford, where he met his first love Kathleen(Kay) Melligan. They shared their life together for more than 45 years until her passing in 2000. Together Ted and Kay built a wonderful home for their children, Kim(David) and Kelly(Vivian), on Avon Court in Whitby. Their family home was the centre of many neighbourhood parties and bonfires by the creek. These memorable events often included spectacular fireworks, zip lines, tractors, bikes and all forms of shenanigans topped off with ceremonial cannon blasts, which were a huge hit. Ted was never one to disappoint a crowd.
Ted went on to be one of the original three hosts and announcers when CFTO TV went on the air in 1960. There he also hosted one of the first teenage dance shows in the country called "Hi Time" and "After Four". He later joined Screen Gems and worked on the Pierre Berton Show, which enabled him to travel the world and rub elbows with such greats as Lucille Ball, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones to name a few. Ted transitioned from being in front of the camera to becoming a producer. He established Curlcom Productions producing ads, training programs and dealer meetings for Bombardier, General Motors, Honda, and a host of other top corporations in Canada. Hobbyists knew him for his love of radio control flying which led him to establish and run Canada`s largest national hobby and craft exhibition: "The Hobby Show" for more than 25 years. Others will remember Ted as the whimsical "voice of the dogs" at the Indoor Retriever trials at the Canadian National Sportsmen's Show and the host of the Purina Hall of Fame awards.
Ted met and married his second love, Erna Taylor in 2004. Ernie instilled her love of community service in Ted. He quickly became an active, dedicated member of the Kiwanis Club of Westmount (Oshawa), serving as President and Lieutenant Governor of Division 10 and receiving the Mel Osborne award from his fellow Kiwanians. His greatest joys were his grandchildren Keller and Riley. He loved spending time with them performing magic tricks, staging treasure hunts and sharing funny stories.
A celebration of life...
Who are we kidding?
A great big party for Ted will take place when we are able to gather again and celebrate the life of a great husband, father, grandfather and dear friend to so many.
Memories and Condolences
for Edward Curl
8 Entries
Bill Baker
January 3, 2025
I met Ted through Erma. I liked him tight away. We had a few things in common including love of live theatee. He and Erma were regular patrons at Class Act Dinner Theatre where I appeared in many plays. He was always cordial and honest when I asked him for advice or thoughts about my performance. He lent his voice to the recorded message before each performance. I was not aware of his passing until today when his name was mentioned on the Facebook site Kingston Radio Rewind detailing his contribution to CKWS radio and television in it's early days in the mid 1950's before his move to Toronto. I did so.e searching and found this obituary. My deepest sympathies to Erma and his family. I wish I could have gone to his celebration if life.
Bill Baker
Julie (deJonge) Swinson
April 20, 2023
I was in High School in Brooklin with Ted
Darwin C Vickers
April 25, 2022
I worked with Ted a number of times, it was always a pleasure.
Bob Johnston
December 6, 2021
It was my great honour to have know Ted as one of his computer support people a few years back. I only recently learned of his passing, and regret not being able to talk to him again. He was truly one of a kind. A wonderful gentleman, full of wit and charm, and great kindness. We loved his magic too.
Our condolences to you Erna. What a great guy he was!
Doug Keil
November 18, 2021
Hired Ted to produce the first 3D feature film in the early 70's and instantly became fast friends. The film blew up (really) gas explosion. Ted was unfazed and went right back to producing a better film. Saved my career. Til we meet again. Doug & Bev Keil
Laura Plummer
September 24, 2021
September 24, 2021
I was one of those fortunate neighbours who witnessed a caring compassionate man.
Mr. Curl with respect and Elmer as a gentle giant.
I can attest to the skills of his enjoyment with respect to crowd pleaser.
Mr Curl animated my face for halloween one year I was the hit attraction. The memories are endless. Thank you for being such a positive, one in a million, kind of influence.
Always with respect Mr Curl it is with a very saddened heart that I hear of your passing.
Condolences to Kim and Kelly and family.
Laura Plummer
Dave Creasy
September 11, 2021
Erna, Kelly and Kim, please accept my heartfelt condolences.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ted in 1980 at my first job and have been honored to know him all these years. Never a dull moment with Ted. Many a wise word and he loved to share his experience. He is one of a handful of people I can happily say was a significant positive influence on my life and I will always remember him fondly and speak of him with the warmest memories.
He will be missed, but as a man who really was larger than life, he will never be gone!
Bev Fowler
September 5, 2021
I was the luckiest person in the world to be hired by Ted to be one of his Curlcom Production Trainers, 35 years ago, and present one of the finest training programs ever developed by and for General Motors of Canada. During our group's 3-4 weeks intense Train-the-Trainer for the project, we 17 Consultants (including many 'Master Trainers') learned to become not only course subject matter experts, but more importantly, 'Experiential Trainers', as Ted had hired Tony McCullough to train us at Curlcom in Whitby. The first week, one of our group arrived a few minutes late from his home in Markham and Ted and Tony asked him to come up front and give them his beautiful tweed jacket which they proceeded to light with a cigarette..so we would '"never be late for a training assignment!" It was a magic act, however none of us was ever late for any training assignment, anywhere in the world after that!! Ted was busy and rarely came into the class, however, I remember a naked man with a fig leaf in the building for a Toyota commercial!
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